Material Matters Lab
Exploring how emerging technologies, especially 3D printing, can reshape design, production and creative innovation.
A Hub for Hands-On Innovation
Material Matters fosters a dynamic research community focused on 3D printing, rapid prototyping, materials design and emerging technologies.
With a strong emphasis on design research and fabrication, the lab supports new forms of cultural and commercial production that move beyond traditional models. By enabling personal production platforms, Material Matters empowers artists and designers to explore, prototype and create with greater freedom.
Collaboration That Drives Discovery
Research at Material Matters is supported by faculty-led partnerships, student-led projects and context-driven collaborations. The lab acts as a catalyst for innovation—bringing together students, faculty and external partners from industry, nonprofits, NGOs and community organizations.
Through forums, research exchanges and production-focused inquiry, Material Matters creates real-world impact at the intersection of design, technology and making.
Get to Know Us Better
Material Matters Lab — Our Origin Story
Realized in 2015, inquiring always.
Material Matters became a formalized Research Centre at Emily Carr University in 2015. Over time it developed as a research Cluster and meeting point – an intersection of groups that catalyzes disciplines, students and faculties within Emily Carr University of Art + Design. We work with external partners who may be industry-based, NGOs, non-profit, or community groups.
New technologies and modes of enterprise based on open, shared platforms for making are changing the notion of what it means to mobilize expertise – to develop and implement tacit knowledge in systems of fabrication. Exemplary of this is 3D printing and its presence as an emergent personal production platform. As 3D technology development continues, artists and designers will no longer be limited by constraints imposed by traditional models for cultural and commercial product development and production.
We are engaged in developing and evaluating new 3D print mediums and exploring innovative methodologies for design and production. This effort is augmented by faculty-led applied research partnerships, context driven research and emergent social forums for exchange.
Who are our Funders?
Funding material innovation.
To date a robust pragmatic research program has emerged courtesy of research funding enabled by partnership development funds and grants from agencies such as: NSERC, GRAND NCE and the NRC/CNRC Industrial Research Assistance Program.
Contact
Keith Doyle
Co-Director, Material Matters
kdoyle@ecuad.ca
Hélène Day Fraser
Co-Director, Material Matters
hfraser@ecuad.ca
Let’s work together.
Inquire
Have a project or idea in mind? We welcome inquiries from industry and community partners. Connect with us at research@ecuad.ca to explore collaborations and partnerships, or access to our researchers, technologies and emerging talent.
Access Funding
Industry partnerships with Emily Carr Research may qualify for government funding that supports innovation and research. Learn more about funding opportunities by contacting us at research@ecuad.ca.
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