RE/MADE is an upcycling project directed by Karen Cheng, Professor of Visual Communication Design at the UW School of Art + Art History + Design. Each year, a team of UW design students transforms discarded materials into thoughtfully crafted products, giving new life to materials that would otherwise enter the waste stream.

Now in its fourth year, RE/MADE presents AIR, a collection made from automotive airbags sourced from recycling centers in the United States and Australia. The collection includes vertical and horizontal totes, a shoulder bag, an airpod pouch, and a series of zip cases. Students chose to preserve original stitching, deployment markings, and inspection stamps, allowing each piece to retain traces of its previous life. Paired with custom RE/MADE webbing, every bag is unique. The project’s commitment to waste reduction extends throughout the process. As Cheng explains, "we use the entire airbag, from snout to tail."  

2026 Team

• Jasmine Kwon (BDes 2026)

• Lola Foti

• Akhil Raote (BDes 2027)

• Adrian de Laczay (BDes 2027)

• Po-Yu Chen (BDes 2027)

• Fay Ma (BDes 2027)

• McKinley Smith (BDes 2027)

The project was supported by airbag donors APV Engineering + Testing Services, Clean Lites Recycling, and Superior Environmental Solutions, as well as guest critics Lauren Brazg, handbag and accessories design consultant; Olivia Oomen (BDes 2024); and Sophia Zeng (BDes 2025).

Support

If you are interested in supporting RE/MADE, contact Professor Karen Cheng at kcheng@uw.edu.

Follow @uw_remade for future drops and collections.