Historic Glasgow landmarks celebrated in striking 3D Chess Set
A pair of Glasgow design graduates have launched a business creating 3D chess sets based on well-known city landmarks.
Article Source: Clydeside Chess Set
Last Updated: 19 November 2021 13:10
Alex Duff, 25, from Cumbernauld and Michael O'Donnell, 24, from Castlemilk both studied product design engineering at both the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art and have designed the Clydesdale Chess set which features landmarks such as the iconic Duke of Wellington statue – complete with parking cone ‘hat’.
The pair thought that Glasgow was largely ignored on the design scene compared to cities like Edinburgh and London and so they decided to do something about it.
Alex said: “We felt as if Glasgow was largely ignored on the art and design scene in favour of other cities like London or even Edinburgh, even though it has so much to offer.
“We are both from Glasgow and love it so much, so we wanted to pay homage to our hometown. It really is a labour of love.”
Michael said: “Each of the pieces has a story behind it on why it was selected. For example, we met at Glasgow University and have been inseparable since and for that reason it is the king.
“My great grandfather worked on the shipyards all those years ago and for that reason we picked the Finnieston crane as the rook, to acknowledge Glasgow shipbuilding history.”
The pair hope that the chess piece designs will become famous like the well-known Monopoly pieces and that they will hope to spread the word about their home city.
They initially designed the idea as a two-dimensional set in 2018 and it went down to so well that they sold out at a pop-up shop held at the Glasgow School of Art, where they were studying before going on to the University.
The locations featured in the set include the King based on the Glasgow University tower in the west end, the Queen featuring the Tolbooth steeple in Glasgow Merchant City, while the bishop is based on the Riverside Museum on Clyde side.
Then of course there is the knight featuring the Duke of Wellington statue situated in Royal Exchange Square and the Rook or Castle which depicts the Finnieston Crane.
Alex said: “Our company, 3D Scotland LTD, trading as '3D Glasgow' was founded in July. We spent about six months developing and designing the chess set from January to June and then in July we were ready to start selling.
“What makes this chess set special is the combination of history and new technology coming together to create a skyline of a wonderful city.
“One of the pieces in the set is the Finnieston crane, which was used in the old shipyards for manufacturing. We are contrasting this old manufacturing method with new exciting 3d printing technology.
“In some ways it’s come full circle as the crane was used to manufacture ships and now, we are using this new technology to manufacture the crane.”
The pieces are printed using new MLSA printing technology, which uses a UV resin to create a 3D object, building it up layer by layer to cure the liquid resin into a final printed part.
The cost of the full chess set is £225, with the Clydeside Gift Box featuring a few pieces at £65 as well as individual pieces on sale.
Each of the 32 pieces takes on average six hours to print, each piece is then washed, cured and hand finished.
The sets also custom 15-inch chess boards as well as custom packaging and an information booklet.
Clydeside Chess Sets are for sale on the company’s website at www.clydesidechess.co.uk and through the Scottish Design Exchange in Buchannan Galleries.
There are Clydeside chess sets on permanent display, in the foyer of the Radisson Red Hotel in Finnieston, Glasgow and one in The Duke’s Umbrella gastropub in Argyll Street in Glasgow’s city centre.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Matthew Algie and Tinderbox launch limited edition menu in support of Beatson Cancer Charity
Tinderbox and Glasgow roaster Matthew Algie have teamed up with Beatson Cancer Charity for the second year running – and this time, the menu’s three times bigger.
READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies
Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MORE
Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday
Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.
READ MORE
Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Horne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.
READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched
PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace
This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials
The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MORE
King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow
The state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!
READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MORE
Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub
Beloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!
READ MORE
Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026
With doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.
READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue
BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland
Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn
CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.
READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement
Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.
READ MORE
Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!
READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums
Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE
Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow
Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils
Artwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.
READ MORE
Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule
Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long
Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.
READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres
This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.
READ MORE
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025
This Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!
READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement
Three powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.
READ MORE
Free travel for Armed Forces Day
First Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.
READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July
Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MORE
Play more, spend less at Topgolf Glasgow this Summer
Topgolf Glasgow is dialling up the fun with a fresh range of value offers launching throughout the summer, helping players maximise their experience by giving them more for less!
READ MORE
11 year old Rachel Ronnie to take centre stage with the launch of a Busk Stop at Buchanan Galleries
Aspiring young buskers are invited to step into the spotlight and perform to hundreds of shoppers this summer in a safe and welcoming indoor space.
READ MORE
Cast announced for landmark Citizens Theatre homecoming production Small Acts of Love
The Citizens Theatre has revealed the full cast for Small Acts of Love, the first production to be performed on the theatre's home stage in more than seven years when it reopens later this year.
READ MORE
Sunday mornings just got a lot more interesting...
El Perro Negro is bringing back its cult-favourite Breakfast Club menu. And this time, it's popping up once a month at the award-winning Woodlands Road restaurant - starting 29th June!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links