Elon University / The Maker Hub / Arts & Humanities

Intro to Archaeology - Rissa Trachman: Students create a 3D model of an artifact in Elon's collection.

3 Dimensional Design - Ryan Rasmussen: Students laser cut shapes from cardboard and assembled them into 3D shapes.

Music Technology - Clay Stevenson: Students practiced soldering by repairing audio cables.

Paths to Inquiry in the Arts & Sciences - Heather Lindenman: Students working on a simple electronics project by soldering a flip light.

Psychology of Gender and Sex - Rachel Force: Students participated in activities with a history of gendered stereotypes and discussed those stereotypes.

Authenticity: True Self - Alexis Franzese: Students went through a sketching exercise and designed a letter from the word Authenticity that represented their true self.

Picture of students with a 3D scan of a skull on the computer.

Intro to Archaeology - Rissa Trachman: Students used the technique of Photogrammetry to create 3D models of artifacts in the Elon University collection.

Drawing & Fundamentals of Design

Introducing students to a design process

3 Dimensional Design

Assembling 3D shapes from cardboard

Elementary Latin
I & II

Researching and 3D printing Roman artifacts

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History

3D printing relics of slavery

Scenic Design

Creating scale models

Paths to Inquiry in the Arts & Sciences

Building class community through projects

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Drawing | ART2100B & Fundamentals of Design | Art1120

Instructor: Billy Dee

Assignment Objective

In all of my studio art classes, I find it really helpful to have students attend an orientation at the Maker Hub. I often find that students are confused by or resistant to the concept of prototyping as part of a design process. I notice that students will jump onto Pinterest to research approaches to a project instead of experimenting with materials and finding out what they want to make through actually trying things out.

In my studio art classes, even if I speak to my students about how to approach a design process for a particular project I find that many of my students skip the process as much as possible because it can be frustrating and time-consuming. This is very unfortunate because it is indeed this process that feels like one of the most fundamental aspects of any studio art class – at least from my perspective and in my style of teaching.

Why the Hub?

It really helps to have the tangible experience of an orientation at the Maker Hub where students literally need to work collaboratively and engage in a design process. I particularly like the marshmallow challenge because it gives us all a shared understanding of what happens when we don’t make space for failure and adaptation in a design process (usually our towers fall down!).

Success/Encore?

I definitely intend to bring future classes to the Hub. Not only does it provide space to really explore the concept of a design process, but it is also an AMAZING and welcoming resource for students in the completion of projects for studio art classes (and for their own projects outside of the classroom).

Also, so many of our students have experienced intense isolation during the pandemic. Any opportunities for students to practice real collaboration and have opportunities for meaningful social connection are really important. I am a huge fan of the Maker Hub because it is a welcoming and flexible space that is outside of the usual classroom environment making it uniquely suited to social connection. I am also so happy that there is a supportive space for students who wish to pursue complex and inventive projects.

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3 Dimensional Design | Art 1130

Instructor: Ryan Rasmussen

: Student using hot glue to assemble their shape.

: Students working on their shapes.

: Students using hot glue to assemble and glue their shapes.

: Student using masking tape to hold the shapes together.

Assignment Objectives

In my introduction to 3D Design course, I wanted students to get exposed to a variety of material handling strategies ranging from analog processes such as carving to sophisticated digital fabrication techniques like laser cutting. It was important for me to show students the range of possibilities when making things so as to explore both traditional and contemporary techniques. I also wanted to show students how an idea can be stretched into a variety of iterations, so this project was multilayered ranging from ideation, to design, to fabrication, to public display.

Deliverable

Students worked to design and laser cut 3D polyhedral forms out of cardboard. Each student created a unique form based on Platonic and Archimedean solids. They then worked together in a full class collaboration to create a large aggregate form which was then projection-mapped onto with a variety of unique digital designs. This culminated in a public event called Pizza, Pixels, and Polyforms which took place behind the Performing Arts building.