Tap Talk: U Of M Product Design Students Build Tap Handles For Course Final
On any given Wednesday you may find a smattering of University of Minnesota students imbibing at an establishment on Seven Corners.
What's rarer is finding a group of students using the alcohol as inspiration for a school project.
While that's not exactly the idea behind Sarah Sheber's class final, to the outside eye it could appear that way.
Sheber teaches Product Form and Model Making, a class in the Product Design major at the University of Minnesota. In the class students learn how to take 2D ideas and create 3D products from a variety of materials.
"Part of the goal for this class is to teach hands-on skills," Sheber said. "To push those goals a little further, I wanted to create an experience where students have to work with a client and produce a functional, durable prototype."
Sheber wanted students to go through the experience of creating an idea and seeing it through production with the support and safety net of a school.
So, she chose tap handles as the prototype. Meaning local taprooms where the students' client.
"Tap handles are small and can be made from a wide array of materials. They are in constant, rough use. They have ergonomic, physical and aesthetic requirements," Sheber said. "Add to that the need to understand the brand and be able to deliver what they want? It's the perfect storm."
Sheber reached out to three brands – Dangerous Man Brewing Company, Tattersall Distilling and Tin Whiskers Brewing Company – who she said had "unique personalities and strong community connections."
She split her class of 18 into three groups, one for each brand.
Each student in the group created their own design for a tap handle.
Students were encouraged to visit the taprooms, and enjoy product if they were legally able to do so, as brand experience was an important part of the project.
"Fortunately each of our brands this year have great spaces that also serve non-alcoholic options and many students were able to experience their brands first hand, regardless of their ability to consume alcohol," Sheber said.
Then, students met with Sheber and their brands to discuss which idea should move forward, narrowing down their ideas for their final product.
On Wednesday, Dec. 14 each student will present their finished tap handle at Republic MPLS.
Those present at the final can cast their vote for their favorite handle. At the end, Sheber will tally the votes and announce a crowd favorite and brand favorite. The "winner" of the brand favorite will have their tap handle used in the taproom for at least one month.
Now in her third year of the project. Sheber said its been a success.
"Having a variety of brands work with the class is a great way to show students that there are many ways to achieve solutions for similar challenges," she said. "I'm very hopeful to continue [this project.]"
The final takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Republic MPLS, located at 221 Cedar Avenue South. For more information on the project, visit the University of Minnesota online.
Previous brand partners for the project include: Excelsior Brewing Company, Fairstate Brewing Co-Op, Fulton Brewing Company and Mighty Axe Hops.
See the final taps and hear from some of the students below:
NOTE: A Ben Leibham also won crowd and brand favorite for Tin Whiskers. He packed away his tap line before I could grab a photo.
