UArts Delivers 1,000 Face Shields to Local Hospitals

Over the past month, the UArts MDes Product Design COVID-19 Response Team set out to produce 1,000 face shields for local hospitals using the university’s Makerspace, 3-D printers and laser cutters. That goal has become a reality. On May 19, MDes Product Design Master Lecturer Josh Koplin delivered 900 face shields to Einstein Medical Center and the remainder to Community College of Philadelphia’s Nursing Program and the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.

Makerspace Director Scott Newman and Industrial Design/MDes Product Design Shop Supervisor Justin Bernard spearheaded the project and worked at an offsite location. With President David Yager’s support, the response team was able to access the university’s facilities for the project, ensuring that they were practicing proper social distancing protocol at all times. 

“I am proud to have all the UArts COVID-19 Response Team members as colleagues and my sincerest thank you goes out to them all,” said School of Design Dean Mark Tocchet. “I especially want to thank Scott and Justin for their time and effort these past weeks to meet the team's goal of making 1,000 face shields and doing that on schedule. At this very critical time of PPE shortages, the UArts COVID-19 Response Team produced and delivered essential equipment to our city’s healthcare workers.” 

The full UArts COVID-19 Response Team consisted of Industrial Design/MDes Product Design Shop Supervisor Justin Bernard, BFA Product Design Adjunct Assistant Andrew Dahlgren, BFA Product Design Program Director Phil Holcombe, MDes Product Design Master Lecturer Josh Koplin, Digital Fabrication Studio Manager Scott Newman and MDes Product Design Director Hsin-Chun Wang.