DIY Faceguards
An answer to our plastic addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic
Photo: Faceguard by Thijs Uffen
By Thijs Uffen Minor Makerslab
Coach: Yuri Westplat
Teachers: Loes Bogers Sam Edens Micky van Zeijl
Introduction
Index
In this research zine you will read how to make bioplastic faceguards. I will guide you through my design process and the problematics I encountered with our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About me My name is Thijs Uffen, 25 years old and studying Communication & Multimedia Design at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. I am an UX Designer and UI Designer. I enjoy making tech and web accessible and aesthetic.
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Introduction, about me, index Summary Larger context Summary of project and outcomes Reframing moments How to make your own DIY Faceguard Sources Trail of evidence
Summary In times of great fear and uncertainties, we tend to use
Here comes my project in place; I want to show that anybody
familiar and easy solutions for our problems.
can fabricate appropriate and safe protection gear with everyday ingredients. To do so, I use bioplastic made from
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people and
gelatin. It only takes 3 ingredients to become a maker of your
companies use plastics to make protection gear; like cashier
own bioplastic faceguard. Bioplastic is great, because it is
protection screens and faceguards. Typically, these protection environmental friendly, and you can recycle it at home. items are made out of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a rigid and transparant plastic. The downside is that Faceguards are a good addition to the regular face masks, PMMA is environmental unfriendly. This is due to complex
because it protects the eyes and it will prevent you from
production processes and long supply chains. When we are
scratching/touching your face. In this way infection is
done with these products, we can recycle them.
prevented.² When we don’t need our faceguards anymore, they
The downside however is that it costs a lot of energy. ¹
can be recycled easily at home.
Additionally, it is almost impossible to make such items by yourself at home.
Why would we seek for the best care for ourselves, but not the planet? Let's change that.
¹ Heathland.com, PMMA – Polymethyl methacrylate recycling Photo: Recycling by Thijs Uffen
² AARP.org - Some Experts Say Face Shields Better Than Masks for Coronavirus Protection
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Larger context When I started with my project, I wanted to design a corona solution for a specific target group that I have a close connection with: elderly people. I worked for a house nursing company and in addition to that I worked as a taxi driver for elderly and physically impaired Amsterdammers. I am still in touch with some of my former clients and passengers. To see how they are affected by the pandemic touched me, and I felt like I could really help them with my project. When I spoke to them, they told me they are affraid to go to the supermarket, and to take a taxi. Because they have a low mobility, they are dependent on transportation. When I heard this, I brainstormed and came with an idea to make protection screens for in cars. In this way, the passenger is protected from corona virus particles in the car. I started to sketch and design my protection screen and made some mockups.
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Picture above : car protection screen design - Thijs Uffen Picture below: mockup made from cardboard - Thijs Uffen
At that moment I was ready to buy my ingredients to fabricate
The issue here is the moment when we don’t need those plates
protection screens. I wanted to use bioplastic to create them,
anymore. When the corona crisis is over, the protection gear that
because it’s bio degradable. You can reuse it, or discard it by
everyone has made is obsolete and will be discarded. PMMA and
boiling it down with salt and flushing it down the toilet.
other plastics require a long production chain and transport before they land in the shops. And when we are done with them, it
Then came to problematic part. To cast my screen, I wanted to
takes a lot of energy to recycle it. ¹
pour my bioplastic mixture on top of a Polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA) plate that is large enough for my design.
To put this in another perspective : when we are under attack
PMMA is suitable for this purpose, because it is heat resistant
from a pandemic, we react by using even more harmful
and the bioplastic can be easily removed. However though,
solutions to tackle the problem. In fact we are digging another
everywhere I looked PMMA plates were sold out. When I started to
hole for ourselves.
look further for other plastic based casting surfaces, I was shocked to discover that almost every plastic plate material was
These findings drove me to the conclusion that I still want to make
sold out at every building market and webshop.
protection gear made of bioplastic, but I want to reach the mass and make an easy DIY faceguard that everybody can make. In this
A lot of companies and shops use these plastic plates to make
way I hope that we look further than the panic instinct that we all
protection gear for their own. It was so massively wanted that it is
followed, and be more cautious when we are trying to defend
almost impossible to get your hands to it.
ourselves.
¹ Heathland.com, PMMA – Polymethyl methacrylate recycling
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Summary of project and outcomes Now that I’ve got a new point of view for my project, I started to
Faceguard template
sketch once again. The reason why I’m making a faceguard is because they are a great addition to the self made facemasks that everybody is making right now. Facemasks cover your mouth and nose, but it leaves the rest of your face and eyes vulnerable for infection by the corona virus.
By using a faceguard you will protect your eyes and face. Because you have to guard in front of your face, you cannot accidently touch or scratch yourself. This will minimalize the possibility of infection. ¹
I was looking up designs on the internet. I came across a lot of good ideas, and finally I chose an ecliptic shape. This is easier to shape around the face. I made a template so I can follow the design when casting my faceguard.
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¹ AARP.org - Some Experts Say Face Shields Better Than Masks for Coronavirus Protection
Width : 220 mm Height : 290 mm
Picture above : faceguard template - Thijs Uffen
To cast my bioplastic faceguard, I need a surface to pour my bioplastic mixture on. Because ofcourse the PMMA plates are unavailable, I used a 70 x 50 cm mirror. To draw my template I used silicon kit. First, I drew the template with a sharpie on the mirror. Then I filled in the lines with the silicon kit. This will act as the mould for my faceguard.
While I let the silicon kit dry on the mirror, I proceeded to cook the bioplastic. I use gelatin for my bioplastic, because it will create a rigid and transparent plastic. Glycerin is also added in the recipe because it will make the plastic flexible. The first time when I made a large batch of gelatin bioplastic I added too much glycerin. This resultated in a sticky and sloppy plastic that I couldn’t really use for my faceguard. I decided to make a facemask out of it to test if it was suitable. Unfortunately, it will become moist when it’s placed on the mouth, and cannot be used as facemask.
For my second try, I got the ingredients right. I used the Bioplastic Cookbook gelatin recipe by Margaret Dunne. After I cooked the bioplastic, I left it to dry for 2 days. When I removed the plastic from the mirror it was perfectly rigid and transparent. Pictures above : casting mirror and prototype facemask - Thijs Uffen
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I have the bioplastic screen right now, but I still have to make a strap or attachment so you can wear it. To do so, I cutted the strap of an old cap I had laying around. You can use whatever piece of strap or band you have available. I made 5 incisisions in the upper part of the bioplastic screen. I laced the strap through the holes I made and the mask was ready to use!
The material is transparent and does not smell. Because you wear the mask in an angle, it will not touch your mouth and nose. Because of this it will not get moist. You can easily wash it with a cloth dripped in alcohol. Just make sure that you don’t use a drenched cloth, because otherwise you can damage the bioplastic. I will also suggest to not wear it in moist places or in the rain, because the plastic can break down.
I tested the mask on my girlfriend and a bunch of friends. They were all quite pleased with the end result, and couldn’t believe how easy it was to make. They also said that they didn’t expect the material to be so strong and rigid. It’s also important that they valued the aesthetic aspect of the product.
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Pictures: poured bioplastic, cap band, test subject - Thijs Uffen
When you want to recycle the faceguard, you can cook it in a pan. It will melt and can be casted again. This is important because my goal is to create a durable product.
Pictures: recycling, mirror and faceguard, faceguard profile - Thijs Uffen
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Reframing moments During my project I’ve had several reframing moments, in which I
The foundation of my project was now here, but I had to think
had to alter the course of my project. When you start with
about practical issues too.
a project, you will never know what will happen during your process. In my case I had to reconsider my product and context,
During my second reframing sessions I dove into the safety and
because there was a shortage in materials that I needed for my
usability of my faceguard: is it safe to use? And can you clean it?
original idea.
Will corona particles stick to the faceguard? I had to research to make sure my product will be a succes. As it turned out, the
Laura Mudde, my reframing coach, helped me with rethinking for my project. I switched from the larger car protection screens to smaller faceguards because I could make it with the materials that are available to me. I also thought that this solution to my case was better than my first idea, because I can reach a larger audience with it.
Because of this reframe, the scope of my project changed from helping the elderly to changing the way we deal with heavy situations like a pandemic. When I started my project I wouldn’t think that my project would head in this direction. 9
faceguard can be cleaned and is safe to use.
How to make your own DIY Faceguard Ingredients for bioplastic mixture:
Utensils you need:
- 240 ml water
- faceguard template
- 14 g glycerin
- silicon kit
- 48 g gelatin
- mirror larger than 22 x 29 cm - sharpie - cooking pot - measuring cup to measure water - kitchen scale to measure glycerin and gelatin - gas stove or cooking pit - whisk, spoon or something else you can stir with ould
- spoon - sharp knife - headband
Picture above: ingredients needed for faceguard - Thijs Uffen
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Instructions 1. Download the faceguard template 2. Draw the template onto the mirror with your sharpie 3. With the silicon kit, draw over the lines to make a mould
4. Measure the gelatin, glycerin and water and put them into a cooking pot 5. Put the cooking pot on medium heat and keep stirring until the mixture starts to boil. Then get it off the heat. 6. Wait for the mixture to cool. Use a spoon to scoop off foam that settles on top of the mixture. Discard the foam. 7. Let the mixture cool for 3 minutes 8. Pour the mixture into the mold you’ve made on the mirror 9. Let it cool next to an open window for at least 2 days
10. After the mixture is dry, carefully remove it from the mirror. 11. Make 5 incisions on the top side of the faceguard. Make sure that your headband can fit through them. 12. Weave your headband through the holes. Your faceguard is done! 11
Picture above: cooking the bioplastic mixture - Thijs Uffen Picture below : bioplastic poured in the mold - Thijs Uffen
Sources Heathland.com (z.d.), https://www.heathland.com/?page_id=58&lang=nl Margaret Dunne (z.d.), https://issuu.com/nat_arc/docs/bioplastic_cook_book_3 Renee Bacher & Christina Ianzito (2020, 15 juni), https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/shields-compared-to-masks.html
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Elderly and handicapped are afraid of traveling Week 1 - Thijs Uffen
Before the corona crisis, I used to work as a taxi driver for elderly and handicapped residents of Amsterdam. Former clients I spoke with don’t want to travel anymore, because they are afraid they will get sick in the taxi service they are using. This is my former job, so I feel connected with this problem and the target group.
Insight
There are initiatives on the market right now, but they are not environmental friendly Week 2 - Thijs Uffen
I looked on the internet for comparable solutions. The ones I found are made of plexiglass or plastics that are not bio degradable. My aim is to develop a protection screen made of bioplastics. It has te be cleanable, durable and safe.
Research
Making travel comfortable and safe for vurnerable people Week 1 - Thijs Uffen
I started an ideation process to come up with viable solutions for this problem. I used the following techniques: - interviews - word cloud - brainstorm - sketching The final idea I am going to focus on, is a protection screen for in cars. The screen will be placed between the front- and back seats.
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Making travel comfortable and safe for vurnerable people - ideation Week 1 - Thijs Uffen
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Making travel comfortable and safe for vurnerable people - sketches Week 1 - Thijs Uffen
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Making travel comfortable and safe for vurnerable people - mockup Week 1 - Thijs Uffen
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There are initiatives on the market right now, but they are not environmental friendly Week 2 - Thijs Uffen
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Acrylate plates are hard to get by in these times Week 3 - Thijs Uffen
I ordered an acrylate plate from a construction market, but after some days I received the message that they are highly demanded at the moment. This is because people are making their own protection screens out of acrylate plates. I have to use another method to cast my molds now.
Insight
I have to adjust my project to the current difficulties I am facing Week 3 - Thijs Uffen
Because I can’t make large molds at the time, I have to change my project idea. The large car screen is hard to make since I don’t have a large casting plate. Therefor I have decided to cast smaller protection products, like face masks and face shields.
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I am going to use a mirror to cast Week 4 - Thijs Uffen
Mirrors are a smooth and large surface to cast on. I will use one to make my face masks and face shields.
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First test with bioplastics : added too much water and glycerin. Week 4 - Thijs Uffen
In my first mixture I used too much water and glycerin. This resulted in a plastic that is sticky and will not harden properly.
Insight
Best recipe for cooking a larger surface Week 4 - Thijs Uffen
I perfected my recipe for larger scale making of gelatin bioplastic: - 48 grams gelatin - 18 grams glycerin - 240 ml water Throw the ingredients in a pot a cook over medium heat. When it starts to boil, remove from heat. Scoop the bubbles from the mixture and discard. Let the mixture cool down for 1 minute and pour into mold. Let dry for 3 days and remove from mold.
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I made a face mask from bioplastic Week 4 - Thijs Uffen
This face mask is made from the first bioplastic batch I cooked.
Insight
New faceguard made of bioplastic Week 5 - Thijs Uffen
I made my faceguard of the new bioplastic I crafted. It is stirdy and transparent.
Insight
