About the Machine – The Story
The Vending Machine
The Create + Connect Vending Machine was created by Sara Heston, and it is backed and fully supported by the Academic Media Center, located at Robert Morris University. Its intended use is to create a new networking platform for students, faculty, and alumni at Robert Morris University.
The Problem
The Create + Connect Vending Machine Project started after Sara Heston received a scholarship through the AMC for Experience Design. She wanted to solve a problem, and one that hit close to home was the difficulty many students, including herself, struggle to network with industry professionals, or even other students, when they are just starting as freshmen. In creating Create + Connect Vending, formerly known as “Art at Convenience.” Sara created a new and unique platform for all creatives at Robert Morris University to share their artistic abilities, and the rest of the campus!
Why a Flat Vending Machine?
Before Sara received the AMC scholarship, the concept of having a vending machine on campus started in a friendly discussion during studio time in one of her classes, her junior year. Sara was discussing the idea of a vending machine on campus with her good friend, Amber Holt, who was also a recipient of the AMC scholarship, but for Graphic Design. Amber and Sara enjoyed the idea of bringing a vending machine for public art to campus, and Amber was the one who mentioned Flat Vending Machines – or tattoo/sticker machines. With Amber’s support and guidance, Sara applied to the AMC scholarship, and the Create + Connect Vending project was started!
Machine Contents
Students, faculty, and alumni will create a “trading card” which will have their artwork on the front, either zoomed in on the piece, or fit to the 2.5 x 3.5 inch size. And on the back of the card, they get to choose how much or how little they would like to share, such as a photo of themselves, their social media, information about the name of the piece and its medium, and anything else they’d like to add, like a fact or quote. Then they can choose to include extras inside the machine. These are things like stickers, doodles, notes – really anything that can fit inside the cardboard envelope that goes into the machine, without jamming it. The more you go all out with your style and what you share, the better!
