Why use material-resource?
Hi, I'm Eugene Osborne and founder of material-resource.com. As a recent design graduate, during my time at university I found on many occasions that it was difficult to gain a particular material or process at a good price and on time without having to spend hours trawling through dozens of websites. I felt there must be an easier way of doing this. From my past experiences of companies that I was happy in using, I felt it would be beneficial to create an easy, navigational database of these companies for other students to benefit from. In turn, these students could then contribute with companies they had found useful. For me, sharing this information with each other can only be constructive in assisting people in education and for those graduates starting out in the creative industries to maximize their full potential.
The databases are intended to be used as a knowledge centre to aid the learning process. For example, could you design a cast aluminium light fitting if you know nothing of the casting process, or what type of fabric is best suited for humid conditions? The databases are here to increase your knowledge of materials and processes and to aid and nurture your creative abilities.
Also, one of my aims for the website is to create a community of like minded artists and designers – one that is created within our facebook page. It'll be a place where people can leave company recommendations for other students to benefit from, once these companies have been added to our database. If you have documented a method of doing something, i.e. screen printing, then we would also love to see some photographs of this process on our page to inspire other artists and designers. It is the members of the page that will help the website to work at its full potential by expanding the databases into a reliable source of information.
Material-resource.com is not just intended for those studying at university. Any student is encouraged to use the databases. 'A' level, college students through to post-grads or anyone starting out in the creative industries, can really benefit greatly from using the website and its links. In fact, this can be the perfect opportunity for you as an aspiring artist or designer to gain an insight into your chosen area of study and can give you valuable information before choosing a course at college or university.
Hi, I'm Eugene Osborne and founder of material-resource.com. As a recent design graduate, during my time at university I found on many occasions that it was difficult to gain a particular material or process at a good price and on time without having to spend hours trawling through dozens of websites. I felt there must be an easier way of doing this. From my past experiences of companies that I was happy in using, I felt it would be beneficial to create an easy, navigational database of these companies for other students to benefit from. In turn, these students could then contribute with companies they had found useful. For me, sharing this information with each other can only be constructive in assisting people in education and for those graduates starting out in the creative industries to maximize their full potential.
The databases are intended to be used as a knowledge centre to aid the learning process. For example, could you design a cast aluminium light fitting if you know nothing of the casting process, or what type of fabric is best suited for humid conditions? The databases are here to increase your knowledge of materials and processes and to aid and nurture your creative abilities.
Also, one of my aims for the website is to create a community of like minded artists and designers – one that is created within our facebook page. It'll be a place where people can leave company recommendations for other students to benefit from, once these companies have been added to our database. If you have documented a method of doing something, i.e. screen printing, then we would also love to see some photographs of this process on our page to inspire other artists and designers. It is the members of the page that will help the website to work at its full potential by expanding the databases into a reliable source of information.
Material-resource.com is not just intended for those studying at university. Any student is encouraged to use the databases. 'A' level, college students through to post-grads or anyone starting out in the creative industries, can really benefit greatly from using the website and its links. In fact, this can be the perfect opportunity for you as an aspiring artist or designer to gain an insight into your chosen area of study and can give you valuable information before choosing a course at college or university.
...but why should I add my contacts to material-resource's database?
Traditionally, people can be protective of contacts and suppliers they have built up, which is understandable in itself. But, to put it simply, if you feel you can gain something positive from using our website, then this in itself justifies the reason of adding to our database. Individuals like you are helping to expand the databases to help themselves and other creatives in saving time and money and allowing them to create new links with suppliers and industry. If we can change a culture of being 'closed off' and 'protective' of our sources, then this in itself could create a chance for the art and design community to work more closly together in exchanging knowledge in a way that can really push creative opportunities to a maximum. In doing so, it will allow links in the private sector (UK industry) to broaden and could allow creatives to be more successful within their chosen field. This may also create a situation where the art and design industries are more robust to withstanding knocks in the economy, as seen over the last couple of years.
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These factors have led me to create material-resource.com to allow materials and processes to be accessed in a comprehensive, time saving and responsible way, either on the go or in the comfort of your home. This approach could free up more of your time to be more creative without the added worry of how you're going to get those materials or that process done in the first place. With other students' recommendations coupled with material-resource's own, you can feel confident that your material or process is exactly what you had hoped for.
This website has been created for you – so please make the most of using material-resource.com. By getting involved you can help make the website into a resource that will become your first port of call when looking for materials or to undertake a manufacturing process. We want to create a service that can really help you the student and future generations of students throughout the UK. With course fees soon to increase in 2012, every pound saved and put back into your pocket could just help that little bit more to you achieving your goals and aspirations now and in the future. I see so much talent out there. So lets tap into it and make the most of it.
I do hope you find what you are looking for within our pages.
Good luck,
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