FROG3D® GOES BACK TO SCHOOL AT YORK UNIVERSITY
CLIENT PROFILE
York University
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.yorku.ca
FROG3D® Application - Sculpture Enlargement & Fine Art Replication
BRINGING TECHNOLOGY AND ART TOGETHER
York University's Department of Visual Arts is home to Canada's leading sculpture program. As a professor in this program, Brandon Vickerd is keenly aware of the work that goes into maintaining the program's relevance, quality and reputation.
THE CHALLENGE
BRINGING TECHNOLOGY AND ART TOGETHER
York University's Department of Visual Arts is home to Canada's leading sculpture program. As a professor in this program, Brandon Vickerd is keenly aware of the work that goes into maintaining the program's relevance, quality and reputation. Doing this requires a constant focus on advancing sculptural techniques and research, but also on maintaining a strong educational program to ensure students are at the top of their game when they complete their education. To achieve these dual goals, Vickerd is clear about the importance of technology. "It is essential to our continued success that we stay on top of technical innovation and advances," he explains. "Our students demand access to this technology in order to be prepared for careers as practicing artists and fabricators."
Looking to bolster the program's technological advantage, Vickerd envisioned the creation of a unique Digital Sculpture Laboratory that would be the first of its kind in Canada, and one of only a handful worldwide. This would be a lab where cutting edge equipment, processes and research promoted new ways of translating digital code into physical reality – pushing the world of sculpture into areas it had never been. To deliver on this vision, Vickerd needed technology that could help create innovative artwork, but that could also introduce new efficiency, flexibility and creativity into sculptural processes. At the same time, the solution also needed to be easy to use and adaptable so it could meet the educational needs of students. With these goals in mind, Vickerd turned to Streamline Automation and the FROG3D™ system.
THE SOLUTION
WHERE SCULPTURE AND TECHNOLOGY MEET By implementing the FROG3D™ foam carving system, the Digital Sculpture Laboratory at York gained a solution that could perfectly translate digital code (whether from a 3D scan or a digital design) into physical reality – without the inefficiencies and inflexibility of conventional sculptural methods. By using a combination of 3D laser scanning, advanced editing software and 3D foam milling, Vickerd and his students can take their digital designs and perfectly replicate them in any size – improving their artistic processes without losing any artistry. Students and artists are able to bring their artistic visions to life while they fulfill the lab's vision of investigating and advancing innovative sculptural processes.
Vickerd's decision to go with the FROG3D™ system was based on a number of factors. As he explains, "when it came time for us to purchase a theming system we had three priorities: the system had to be easy for our students to use, it had to be adaptable and compatible with our existing equipment and it had to come with exceptional technical support. Streamline's FROG3D™ foam carving system has exceeded all these expectations and has become a pivotal tool for our sculpture program. The technical support they provide, both in regards to the software and hardware, goes beyond trouble shooting. They have gone out of their way to anticipate how their system would better function in our educational environment and proactively tailored it to meet our current and future needs." Compared to other options, Vickerd notes the advantages of the FROG3D™ system. "One major difference was the cost – Streamline was much more affordable," he says. "The system was also more adaptable, allowing for modification to suit multiple fourth axis systems. Another advantage was the complete pipeline system provided, from scanning to milling." In the end, Vickerd was convinced that FROG3D™ was the right choice, and he hasn't looked back since.
THE BENEFITS
SCULPTING TOMORROW'S ARTISTS FROG3D™ has provided the Digital Sculpture Laboratory with both the production and educational advantages needed to push the program forward. From a production perspective, the system has created greater efficiencies and greater flexibility in the kinds of projects that can be completed. As Vickerd explains, "the system has completely changed our production processes. It shaves time off of production and allows for a wider range of sculptural production." This not only involves milling sculptures out of foam and wood, but also milling pieces to be cast in the foundry process.
Students now have access to capabilities that simply would not be available otherwise – letting them create innovative artwork and learn about processes that will ultimately help move the world of sculpture into new areas. Just as important, the system has proven easy to use, making it a perfect fit for an educational environment. All of this has helped the program achieve one of its fundamental goals – attracting a higher quality of student, as well as a greater number of professional artists wanting to learn the technology. FROG3D™ has turned out to be a perfect solution for York's Digital Sculpture Laboratory and promises to make an impact both to the artistic and educational side of sculpture.
Beyond the advanced capabilities of the equipment, Vickerd has also experienced the benefits of having Streamline Automationintheprogram'scorner. "The training and technical support has been one of the greatest strengths of our relationship with Streamline," explains Vickerd. "We have several other solid state printers from different companies, and no one is as supportive and accessible as Streamline. If the staff do not have an answer, they usually respond within an hour and always follow up to see if the solution provided was adequate. The fact that the staff responds to inquiries immediately allows us to avoid delays in production and keep our system working and producing for us."
With not only cutting edge equipment, but also a partner in Streamline Automation, Vickerd doesn't hesitate to endorse the FROG3D™ system. "I would strongly recommend their FROGMillTM system to anyone that asks," he says. For Dwayne Lehman, president of Streamline Automation, Vickerd's experience with the system is a perfect example of how FROG3D™ can fit into an educational environment. "Whether it's for an art, engineering or architecture program, FROG3D™ provides leading edge production processes, but it's also a great tool for building a program's educational capabilities. York University's experience with our system and approach has really proven that."
