Material production technologies are inherently about the
process of making-—the transition of inspired idea into
material form—and it is this intersection of the How with
the why that defines what Material Matters is.

HOW DO WE DO?

Ideas drive inquiry, and responsibilities flow freely across partici-
pants. Our individual strengths, and a studio—based methodology
have the latitude to be applied to their best advantage as synergies
between partners develop organically as project grow and diversify.

Conceived as a symbiotic methodology—rather than a plan fora
discreet service bureau for Rapid Prototyping—we are examining
pathways to production through social make spaces and forums for
reciprocal knowledge transfer.

“Our work explores how new technological means of production
that can interconnect with and carry forward legacy process
(rather than simply supplant them); create scalable fabrication
methods that capitalize on 3D printing’s innate link to custom-
ization; engaging a broad spectrum of practitioners on both an
industry and personal/individual level.” [7]

Material production technologies are inherently about the process
of making—the transition of inspired idea into material form—and
it is this intersection of the how with the why that defines what
Material Matters is.

APPLIED PARTNERSHIPS

Industry partnerships drive an innovative spirit (and pragmatic
calendar) in the lab. Faculty, students and industry converge in
what can be described as a third-space, a cooperative learning envi-
ronment that is mutually beneficial to all and reciprocal in nature.
Students, or HQP (Highly Qualified Personnel) research alongside,
and by the guidance of teaching faculty, they research matter of
fact problems, true-life problems of design, development, manu-
facture and commercialization.

Material Matters projects pull on a unique mix of practice-led
design research, technical expertise and facilities residing within
the institution (Emily Carr) and the complimentary portfolio of
technology and processes all residing in one location.

REFERENCES

[i] Anderson, Chris. Makers: The New Industrial Revolution. New York: Crown Pub-
lishing Group, Penguin NYC. 2012 [2] Hurst, Nathan. 3-D printing giants stratasys

and objet merge to create $3 billion firm. Wired. 2012. http://www.wired.com/
design/2012/12/stratasys-objet-merger/ [3] Hoskins, Stephen. Issues of tacit knowl-
edge, within 3D printing for artists, designers and makers.. Nip & Digital Fabrication
Conference Proceedings, 2014. 426-431 [4] Pearce, Joshua M. et al.3-D printing of open
source appropriate technologies for self-directed sustainable development, Journal

of Sustainable Development. Vol.3, No.4, 2010, pp. 17-29 Retrieved 2013-02-09 [5]
Pearce, J.M. The case for open source appropriate technology. Journal of Environment,
Development and Sustainability. 14(3). 2012. 425-431. [6] Randerson, J. Put your feet

MATERIAL MATTERS 3DP FORUMS

From the very beginning of the Material Matters 3p Print Forums
(a monthly meet-up style event) we have actively engaged with:
Small to Medium Enterprises, Industrial Designers, Manufactur-
ers, Resource Enterprises, Filmmakers, Animators, and Venture
Organizations & Entrepreneurs. Over the past 4 years, the 3DP
Forums have been facilitating a wide range of dialogues and work-
shops that have added to, informed, and furthered our own critical
yet creative approaches to design, development and material pro-
duction. This hybrid of pure and applied research within a creative
context has created a space that offers the ability to freely explore
ideas, technologies and material innovation to the greater benefit
of the University, our faculty and our partners:

GUARD RFID Vancouver BC, HEL exploring rapid prototyping
and co-creative research practice in wearable security bracelets,
OFFLOAD STUDIOS, Abbotsford Bc, developing innovative 3DP
recipes for legacy print feedstock, FP INNOVATIONS investigating
more sustainable material options for 3D printing through value
added products for the building trades, BOLSON MATERIALS,
cost effective print materials innovation and distribution, RAYNE
LONGBOARDS, North Vancouver BC, sporting equipment devel-
opment and additive manufacture, INDUSTRIALIS, Vancouver
BC, hardware development, LIFEBOOSTER INC, Vancouver BC
Wearable technologies, LULULEMON ATHLETICA (Whitespace
Innovation lab) innovating fashion design methods, THE PLAS-
TIC BANK, Vancouver BC, sustainable (recycled) print materials,
PLANTIGA, North Vancouver, Smart Shoe development, MIRAGE
SCREEN SYSTEMS, Surrey BG, Innovating retractable Screen door
hardware, GOFIGURE! Vancouver Bc Direct sizing and manufac-
ture of garments, GREENTHUMB TECHNOLOGIES, Squamish Bc,
indoor gardening, BLUE MARBLE LABS, Vancouver BC, wearable
environmental sensor, TOTICS, Vancouver BC, innovative digi-
tal manufacture of ankle foot orthotics for children, CANADIAN
MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (Ottawa & BC), CANADA
MAKES & THE ECN/EEN, National Additive Manufacturing Net-
work and the Enterprise Canada Portal for research

up, Santa, the Christmas machine has arrived. The Guardian. 2006. https://www.
theguardian.com/science/2006/nov/25/frontpagenews.christmas2006 [7] Robbins,
P. Day Fraser, H. Doyle, K. (2014). Material Matters. Autonomatic Conference Paper.
Falmouth: Falmouth University. 2014. [8] Singer, Peter W. Direct digital manufactur-
ing: The industrial game-changer you never heard of. Brookings. 2011. http://www.
brookings.edu/research/articles/2011/10/10-digitalmanufacturing-singer [9] Troxler,
P. (2011). Open Design Now: Why Design Cannot Remain Exclusive. Amsterdam: BIS
Publishers Amsterdam. 2011. 86-97, [10] Wakkary, R., Doyle, K., Robbins, P., Mortimer,
S., Lin, H. Low, L. Desjardins, A. Productive Frictions: Moving from Digital to Material
Prototyping and Low-Volume Production for Design Research. 2016.

MATERIAL PRACTICES