John James Marshall thesis.pdf - OpenAIR @ RGU - Robert Gordon ...

The researcher was first exposed to computer-based design and fabrication tools
in 1997 at Manchester Metropolitan University. This was through (his then MA
degree advisor) Keith Brown’s involvement in the ‘CALM’ (Creating Art with
Layer Manufacture) project 1997-98. This project was set up by the Higher
Education Funding Councils as part of an initiative to promote the use of IT
within the art and design community in UK higher education. The network of
contacts between artists and engineers that was built up during this project
resulted in the creation of the organisation Fast-uk 2 (Fine Art Sculptors and
Technology in the UK – now, Fine Art, Science and Technology in the UK). The
researcher was a founder member and is the organisation’s Vice President.
Between 1999 and 2003 the researcher worked as part of a collaborative
product development team for the Evenflo Company, Inc. (Vandalia, Ohio,
USA). Throughout this time the researcher worked daily with engineers and
designers making aesthetic and functional models, prototypes and sales
samples. The researcher was instrumental in transitioning Evenflo’s model
shop from traditional hand-working methods to a computer-based rapid
prototyping, silicone tooling and cast urethane reproduction process. Within
the first annual product development cycle after implementing the use of this
rapid prototyping technology Evenflo increased its number of new products
from twelve to thirty-six a year. The researcher also took part in evaluating new
product needs, working closely with marketing, engineering and tooling
personnel throughout the product development process.
During this period the researcher co-founded ‘artcore’ - an unincorporated artist
run non-profit organisation. In 2001, ‘artcore’ presented the rapid prototype art
exhibition ‘Intersculpt:Ohio 01’. Funding for this project was raised from
various sources including public funds from the Ohio Arts Council and cash and
in-kind donations from corporations, organisations and individuals.
Subsequently, in 2003 the researcher returned to the UK and co-curated the
exhibition ‘Intersculpt:UK 03’ for Fast-uk at the Museum of Science & Industry
in Manchester. This exhibition was funded by The Arts Council of England,
Manchester City Council and the Manchester Institute for Research &
Innovation in Art & Design (MIRIAD).
2 http://www.fastuk.org.uk/
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