Special Topics in Digital Fabrication

This course explores digital fabrication, introducing students to various technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutting, and industrial knitting machines. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices behind these digital fabrication tools, emphasizing two key learning outcomes. First, students will learn to leverage digital fabrication technologies to prototype and create innovative physical devices and objects. Through hands-on projects, they will gain practical experience using these tools to bring their ideas to life. Second, the course delves into the technical aspects of digital fabrication technologies, examining how design tools are created and how they shape the possibilities and limitations of the design process. As part of this objective, students will undertake a project to build their design tool, exploring how its features influence different types of design. By the end of the course, students will have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the world of digital fabrication, understanding its practical applications and the technical nuances that drive its evolution.