Material Matters - Novel Alternatives: digital technologies applied to the development and manufacture of locally customized pet product

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Material Matters is a Research Centre located at Emily Carr University of Art + Design that is actively exploring through design-led material inquiry and Research Creation, the material science in 3D printing, its pragmatic potential, and the ethical and ecological ramifications of the technology. We propose an applied research partnership with RC Pet Products LTD (RC), an established Vancouver-based company that specializes in the design and manufacture of pet products and accessories. RC provides quality products across North America and has a production facility in Vancouver, Canada. Since their inception 30 years ago, RC has invested heavily in the design of pet accessories that are sustainably produced, rugged, responsive and capable of performing well under a wide range of conditions. Unlike fit and sizing for humans, there is no standardization of fit and sizing for pet garments - the purpose of the proposed research project is to develop innovative user-production-user pathways aimed at local, on-demand production. Dog coats will serve as a case study. Drawing on RC's existing assets, the project will develop innovative design pathways sustaining in house R&D by investigating new avenues for product development, in house fabrication innovation, and cost-effective design research methods enabled by new digital processes, production and additive manufacturing technologies. Cost-effective design to user strategies enabled by new digital processes such as 3D scanning and additive manufacturing technologies will be a key focus. A research partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design is well situated to develop RC's in-house design research and production capacity. The University's practice-led design research methods, and novel digital production technologies have the potential to become assets for RC pet products towards their development of in-house design, production, and product innovation.