Public Online Workshop: CAD for Absolute Beginners

Friday 31 July 2020 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Bookings open on Friday 17th July at 11am

Fully booked, join the waiting list here.

Join technologists and technicians George Walker and Josie King for a 90 minute introduction to simple CAD design using the web-based software Tinkercad. In the session you will get an overview of the programme and complete a drawing task (your own portrait!) on your own computer while our technicians teach the basics through video call.

CAD (Computer Aided Design) is a general term for software that allows you to create digital models and drawings. CAD is commonly used for designing a whole range of parts and products, for exmaple, you could use it to: sketch out ideas; draw objects for 3D printing; create architectural models; make films; and build characters and environments for computer games and simulations. 

Tinkercad, which you will be learning to use through your internet browser during the workshop, is a simple introductory software for those new to 3D modelling. It is made by Autodesk who also make many of the industry standard professional CAD programs, so it is a great place to start. Note: you will need to download Zoom for this workshop, as you cannot run the in-browser version of Zoom alongside the in-browser version of Tinkercad.

The session will accommodate up to 100 participants, as we try a new format to open up our making workshops to as many people as possible!

• This session is intended for those without any prior experience of CAD design.
• All you need is a PC or laptop, with Zoom already downloaded (rather than in-browser)
• The workshop is suitable for an adult and a child of age 7+ to do together.

George Walker is a creative technologist, sound engineer and graduate of the Music Informatics BSc course at The University of Sussex. He has worked on a broad range of digital projects from physical music controller hardware to generative software art. He is also part of the teams behind the Eyeduino workshops, the robot Ohbot and the band Fatlion Hi-Fi. He is interested in music, programming, crowdfunding and of course making, and holds particular responsibility for the digital tools in the Institute of Making.

Josie King is a designer and maker who has joined the Institute of Making team as a Technician for 2020. Last year, Josie ran the makerspace Machines Room and before that she worked at Green Labs, Participatory City and Goldsmiths teaching and running events. Her personal making practice is rooted in play; less of an artisan more of a 'master of none’, Josie is interested in awkward materials and processes as a way of learning. For example, ’slime on legs' furniture series was made in collaboration with traditional craftsmen and induced improvisation and play back into the making process. 

Part of Public Events,  Best of Lockdown