SXD-602S: Fabrication Innovation 1: SXD

Fabrication Innovation 1 provides the student with the direct and hands on skills needed to operate and implement motion controlled tools. Dealing with additive and subtractive devices, the class attempts to understand the thumbprint of each machine. Knowing and incorporating the so-called "flaw" and or logic of each technology enables the designer to achieve not only novel visual characteristics but also an incredibly optimized design strategy. The bulk of the design done over the last century demanded objects be "perfect" and in the end many things took on the same sterile appearance. This was often done in an attempt to negate the look of the fabrication process and in many cases this added on many laborious steps in the making of the object. By examining the specifics of a digital fabrication process the student can develop their design by leveraging, not only CAD but also CAM. The students will be required to research how such tools can affect their own practice and impact their aesthetic. These findings will then be directly manufactured using a range of digital output devices.