Introduction to Digital Fabrication and Technical Design

Michael Darling—veteran maker and CalArts faculty member known for fabrication and technical design in theater, TV, film, and themed entertainment—teaches the first course of our three-part program DigiFab: Introduction to Digital Fabrication. This course will survey the basic history and techniques of digital fabrication - diving into the systems themselves as well as real world utilization. We’ll examine systems of measurement, considerations for hardware and material choices, and specific machine workflows. We’ll also get hands on with fabricating in Autodesk Slicer for Fusion 360 to provide insight on larger scale assembly, as well as how to prep for working with vendors, maker spaces, and print services.

• 2D Joinery Techniques
• This session we will be using Autodesk Slicer to make our first fabrication, and will provide insight on larger scale assembly.
• Materials for Fabrication
• This session will examine optimal materials and key considerations for specific machine workflows.
• Pre-Fabricating: Measurement & Hardware
• How do you design the impossible? This session will discuss the basics of systems of measurement, hardware, and adhesives.
• What Is DigiFab?
• How do we integrate digital fabrication into our workflow? This session uses history and industry examples to survey the basics of digital fabrication.