Launching the BigRep Innovation Award: An open call to Canadian students

Nov. 8, 2017 – BigRep GmbH and NOVACAD Systems have launched the inaugural BigRep Innovation Award, inviting post-secondary students from across Canada to reinvent the humble chair and forge new design frontiers with advanced 3D printing technology. 

The contest was born of a passion shared by BigRep and Halifax, Nova Scotia-based NOVACAD Systems for innovation using large-format fused deposition modelling (FDM).

With a prize value of $3,000, the award is open to all students currently enrolled in a Canadian program for design, engineering, architecture or another related field.

Students are invited to submit designs for original 3D printed chair or stools that could only be brought to life using large-scale 3D printers. The organizers encourage experimentation with form, geometry, shape, materials and colour, to demonstrate the full capacity enabled by large-scale 3D printers to fuse aesthetics and function.

“Manufacturing is changing rapidly, and 3D printing is a driving force in that,” said Amir Fattal, director of creative and marketing at BigRep, and competition jury member. “We’re passionate about fostering talent among individuals and companies to 3D print these creative and industrial solutions.”

The grand prize includes production of the winning design by BigRep’s production team in Berlin, a C$3,000 cash prize and return airfares to Halifax for the winning designer to be presented with their finished design and award. Following an open online vote, the winner will be decided by an expert four-person jury.

“We’re incredibly excited to be part of this design competition with our partners at BigRep,” said Gregor Ash, vice-president development, NOVACAD Systems. “We hope the Innovation Award inspires a new generation of designers through access to the latest large-format 3D printers.”