WWU Industrial Design Students to Present ReMade Projects at Bellingham Store

Contact: Western Washington University Industrial Design team at wwuid@gmail.com. 

"Lux," by Western Washington University Industrial Design student Jolee Nebert (Vashon Island), is a child's nightlight made from recycled acrylic hot- and cold-water knobs and scrap plastic as part of this year's annual ReMade project.

BELLINGHAM – Students from Western Washington University’s Industrial Design program have completed their annual ReMade projects, and this year’s designs feature toys made from discarded industrial materials.

ReMade is an annual project combining sustainability and entrepreneurship by students in Western’s Industrial Design program. The goal is to transform items of industrial waste into viable commercial products that are then sold; each participant must first come up with a design prototype followed by a small production run of at least 20 products, which are then sold in a retail venue.

This year’s collection included toys such as a pop-pop boat made of soda cans, toy cars made from discarded chair casters and reclaimed wood and a rewritable flip book made of reused gift cards and vinyl. Western junior Jolee Nebert (Vashon Island), for example, made a nightlight from acrylic hot- and cold-water knobs and scrap plastic.

“They have shiny, faceted edges and look like gems; light scatters beautifully when they are lit up,” she said. “A nightlight gives children a safe, comforting way to interact with the knobs.”

These types of acrylic knobs are often thrown out when people remodel their bathrooms with stainless steel fixtures, she said. Nebert’s goal is to keep knobs out of landfills, and for customers to demand longer-lasting products.

Other participants included Katie Utgaard (Auburn), Bailey Jones (Mukilteo), Jordan Steranka (Snohomish), Tai Geng (Issaquah), Tyler Dawson (Friday Harbor), Aaron Meyers (Marysville), Paul Kalousek (Boise, Idaho), Colton Sanford (Stanwood/Camano Island), Gary Liljebeck (Bothell), Sarah O’Sell (Kenmore) and Kathryn Bachen (Bainbridge Island).

The products will be sold at Ideal in Bellingham, with a limited run of each toy that will be available for purchase from Nov.1-15.

For more information on the ReMade project, contact Ideal at (360) 752-5522 or visit their location at 1227 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, or contact Western’s Industrial Design team at wwuid@gmail.com.