Artist’s Brief: Digital Craft Commission
bloc in partnership with Glyndwr University and the Arts Council of Wales is seeking four makers to design and create a new craft work using collaborative online tools and innovative 3D production facilities.
About bloc
bloc is a Wales-based organisation and international hub of creators, producers, makers and thinkers supporting creative uses of technology. For over twelve years it has been a leading advocate of creative technology in Wales, producing a series of groundbreaking festivals, commissions, events, and research projects. bloc challenges and investigates innovative forms of artistic, business and social innovation that are enabled by technology.
northern bloc is the branch of bloc operating in north Wales.
Commission Overview
A commission for four Wales-based designer-makers to undertake an excercise in digitally facilitated co-design and production.
The makers will:
• co-design a craft work using online collaborative software
• produce the craft work using computer-aided manufacturing facilities at Glyndwr University
• attend a public discussion event to share insights gained through participation in the project
Aims
• extend professional networks
• communicate design ideas to others and receive feedback
• further understanding of potential and limits of computer-aided manufacturing
• further understanding of potential and limits of computer-aided design
• share decision-making on output
• explore routes for designing and making in rural Wales
Output
• collaboratively designed craft work
• discussion event with project participants, partners and public
Makers’ Role
Each of the four makers will contribute and explore ideas for the design of a craft work using online collaborative software. They will develop these ideas in collaboration and finally produce the craft work using computer-aided manufacturing facilities at Glyndwr University 3D Workshop.
Through their practical engagement with the project, the makers will explore innovative aspects of collaborative online design, its advantages, limitations and potential for use in the creative craft sector.
Design Limitations
Design will be limited by use of free open source software.
Physical Limitations
Physical craft work will be made using computer-aided manufacturing facilities available at Glyndwr University 3D Workshop for final production including:
• GRAPHTEC CE5000-60 – Paper / Vinyl Cutting
• PERFACTORY STANDARD UV – Rapid Prototyping
• SPIRIT GX 60W – Laser Cutting / Engraving
• FARO SCAN ARM – 3D Laser Scanner
• FORMECH 300X – Vacuum Forming
Support
The commission has been developed by a northern bloc working group who will continue to inform and monitor the project throughout. The group includes:
• Dr Justin Marshall – Associate Professor of Digital Crafts, University College Falmouth
• Dr Emma Posey – Director, bloc
• Iolo Williams – Development Officer, Arts Council of Wales
• Dr Stuart Cunningham – Academic Leader Creative Industries, Media, Performance and Humanities, Glyndwr University
• Tracy Piper-Wright – Lecturer in Fine Art, Glyndwr University
In addition, the makers will have direct access to support from:
• Dave Jones, Technician/Demonstrator in Fine Art, Glyndwr University
• Tracy Piper-Wright, Lecturer in Fine Art, Glyndwr University
Makers will attend:
Introductory Session at Glyndwr University comprising:
• discussion and introduction to online collaborative design
• demonstration of the available computer-aided manufacturing facilities
Makers will have the opportunity to attend:
Facilities Workshop at Glyndwr University comprising:
• a selection of all day hands-on workshop each dealing with one of the 3D Workshop’s computer-aided manufacturing facilities
Locations
• Introductory Session – Glyndwr University, Wrexham
• Facilities Workshops – Glyndwr University, Wrexham
• Design – online (makers work from home, studio or other location of their choice)
• Production – Glyndwr University Wrexham
• End of Project Discussion Event – Glyndwr University, Wrexham
Co-design Technlogies
This is an innovative project and there are no open-source technolgies specifically designed for collaborative craft design. Makers will use the following online tool for core communication during the project :
• Big Blue Button
and may explore alternatives and supplementary tools such as:
• Google Sketch-Up
• Google Drawing
Partners
A number of partner organisations have come together to develop this project:
• Glyndwr University
• University College of Falmouth
• Helfa Gelf
• Arts Council of Wales
Fee
Each participating maker will receive £100 contribution to expenses.
Key dates
• Application Deadline: 16 August 2012
• Notification of selected makers: 30 August 2012
• Introductory Session: 11 September 2012
• Development: 14 October – 7 December 2012
• Facilities Workshops – six dates October 2012 tbc
• End of Project Discussion Event: 14 Dec tbc
How to Apply
Send a CV and covering letter identifying your suitability for the commission to Datrys at the address below.
Point of Contact
The project is managed by Datrys. Please send applications and enquiries in the first instance to:
Dominic Chennell
• post: Datrys, Ciafaic, 25 Watling Street, Llanrwst, LL26 0LS
• email: bloc@datrys.org
• tel: 01492 642 291
FURTHER INFORMATION
About Glyndwr University
Based in Wrexham but with campuses and facilities around North East Wales, Glyndŵr University champions the spirit of enterprise and an outward-facing philosophy. Inspired by Welsh hero Owain Glyndŵr, it aims to be bold, inspiring and enterprising in everything we do.
The courses are tailored to be relevant to industry and professional applications. It works closely with partners in business including Airbus, Rolls Royce and the BBC to ensure our graduates get the skills they need to gain employment.
About Arts Council of Wales
Arts Council of Wales is an independent charity, established by Royal Charter in 1994. Its members are appointed by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage.
Its principal sponsor is the Welsh Government. It also distribute funding from the National Lottery and raise additional money where we can from a variety of public and private sector sources.
It is the country’s funding and development organisation for the arts.
Working together with the Welsh Government, it is able to show how the arts are helping to meet the Government’s policy ambitions.
About Helfa Gelf
Helfa Gelf /Art Trail, North Wales’ biggest Open Studio Event, invites you to visit artists at work in their studios this September.
Now in its seventh year, this free annual event is now spread right across North Wales with studios taking part in Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham. It is a unique chance for visitors to peek behind the scenes, experience this normally hidden world and get to chat to the artists and crafts people about their creative process.
About University College of Falmouth
University College Falmouth is a HE institution based in Cornwall, specialising in art, design, media and performance. The Autonomatic research group are based in the Design School and undertake a range of activities framed by an interest in the creative potential of digital tools. Members include practitioners with skills and experience in designing in ceramics, metals, glass, plaster, plastics and textiles. Alongside internationally recognised individual practices, their research seeks to build and reflect upon the revolution in digital manufacturing which is gaining pace through new business models and production systems that can be aligned with the flexibility and individuality of the craft workshop.
http://air.falmouth.ac.uk/research-groups/autonomatic
Technology Weblinks
Computer-aided manufacturing:
• PAPER / VINYL CUTTING – GRAPHTEC CE5000-60: http://www.graphtecgb.com/cutters/ce5000-60.html
• RAPID PROTOTYPING – PERFACTORY STANDARD UV: http://www.envisiontec.de/index.php?id=45
• LASER CUTTING / ENGRAVING – SPIRIT GX 60W: http://www.technologysupplies.co.uk/Spirit-GX-60-Watt-Laser-Package
• LASER SCANNING – FARO SCAN ARM: http://www.faro.com/content.aspx?ct=uk&content=pro&item=1&subitem=58
• LASER SCANNING SOFTWARE – CAM2: http://www.faro.com/content.aspx?ct=uk&content=pro&item=6
• LASER SCANNING SOFTWARE – GEOMAGIC (QUALIFY & STUDIO): http://www.geomagic.com/en/
• VACUUM-FORMING – http://www.multistation.com/en/spip.php?article194
Co-design technologies:
• BIG BLUE BUTTON – http://www.bigbluebutton.org