The Reprint Project
Repurposing waste plastic using digital technologies was the focus of ‘The Reprint Project’, an innovative collaboration between National College of Art & Design and Kingspan Water & Energy, during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Case Study: The Reprint Project
Company: Kingspan Water & Energy
Type: Research Partnership
Date: 2019-20
Repurposing waste plastic using digital technologies was the focus of ‘The Reprint Project’, an innovative collaboration between National College of Art & Design and Kingspan Water & Energy, during the 2019-2020 academic year.
The research project explored how digital technology offers new tools for engaging with materials and involved NCAD staff and students working with Kingspan to put waste material to new use through 3D printing technologies and hand making processes. The research comprised developing an extruded plastic material supply for 3D printing technology, and culminated in an innovative exhibition of jewellery, small scale objects and miniature artworks - all manufactured by the students, using waste plastic oil tank materials.
Speaking about the research partnership, Thomas Jefferson, Marketing Manager at Kingspan Water & Energy Ltd said: “At Kingspan, we decided to team up with young creatives to design and make wearable art using Kingspan recycled pellets, bringing a second life to this material.” Kingspan provided all funding for the partnership and contributed to building a greater studio capacity for new technologies research projects for NCAD First Year Studies.
The project was led by NCAD lecturers Tara Whelan, Logan McLain, Anthony O'Connor and Felicity Clear. Tara Whelan, Interaction Design Lecturer at NCAD commented: “This creative research partnership with Kingspan has given our students the opportunity to work on a really innovative and challenging project. It reinforces the importance of using reclaimed materials and their potential for versatility.”
The research partnership was set-up by Derek McGarry, Head of NCAD’s Innovation & Engagement Department. McGarry’s role is to find and facilitate external partnerships with clients who require art and design knowledge and expertise. The collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy developed over several months and resulted in the creation of a project that added significant value to the curriculum. According to McGarry: “The key thing for me was how to build our capacity to deliver an innovative collection of jewellery and artefacts now, and, in the future. Through discussion, Kingspan could see the dividend in investing in new 3D printing equipment to donate to the college, and this was essential for us. Learning how to design using new tools and technology is now a prerequisite skill set for any artist or designer. The partnership created a win-win and we look forward working with Kingspan again next year.”
Link to the video:
Image: The advertising mock-up for the project features a beautiful gold and recycled plastic pendant by NCAD student, Emily Jennings.
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Mockup image by Derek McGarry
Jewellery design by Emily Jennings (First Year Studies student)
Portrait image by Dmytro Tolokonov (www.unsplash.com)
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