Collaboration highlights the innovative spirit of Little Canada and The University, showcasing the skills of students and the stunning attention to detail that Little Canada is known for.

Toronto, ON – Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is thrilled to announce the results of their successful collaboration with one of Toronto's award-winning tourist attractions, Little Canada. Students from TMU's 3D Printing class, offered through the Graphic Communications Management department, had the unique opportunity to design a variety of "real-life" objects that were then 3D printed, finished and featured in Little Canada's newest destination: Little West Coast, unveiling on October 17th, 2024.

Little Canada tells unique and untold stories of Canada and showcases the richness & diversity of the country’s cities and landscapes through the art of miniature. Little Canada is renowned for its scale replicas of natural and man-made structures throughout Canada. The new West Coast exhibit highlights famous landmarks and everyday scenes from that region of the country, all meticulously designed and detailed – with more than 20,000 person-hours of labour contributing to its fantastic scenes, structures and environments.

Student Contributions to the Little Canada West Coast Exhibit
The 3D Printing course, run by TMU instructor Lee Eldridge, covers 3D Design and modeling, scanning, software, and various 3D printing technologies. As part of this collaboration, students had the opportunity to create 3D designs ranging from iconic landmarks such as the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park, Vancouver, to some of the everyday details that make Little Canada’s scenes so realistic, such as fire hydrants and patio umbrellas.

Student designed items were printed using advanced stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers, which use liquid resin and UV lights to print incredibly detailed small-scale models. The printed models were then painted and prepared by Little Canada's incredibly skilled details team, ensuring that each piece seamlessly integrates into the exhibit.

"This project has been an incredible opportunity for our students to apply their skills to a real-world project and contribute something that millions of people will see. Seeing their designs featured in such a well-loved venue is a testament to their hard work and creativity. The Little Canada team has been amazingly supportive every step of the way, making it an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved!”
—Lee Eldridge, Toronto Metropolitan University
(Formerly Ryerson University)