Schedule | Description | Resources | Grading | Policies | References
This is a second quarter course covering advanced topics in computer controlled fabrication for the arts. There will be an initial phase of technical instruction on advanced comp-fab techniques followed by student-directed research pursuing individual comp-fab interests. Technical instruction inclues CAD/CAM workflows; CNC routing and milling; laser cutting metals and sheet metal folding; digital mold-making, injection-molding, and strategies for scaling production. In the individualized instruction portion, each student will articulate and pursue an individual research topic in advanced Computer Controlled Fabrication. They will deliver results through a fabrication project, poster session, and summarize their process and results in the form of a short white paper.
A student who successfully completes this course will:
Prequisites: VIS146A or permission of instructor.
(Subject to change. Check back for most up to date information)
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction - Intro and Course structure - Discuss Individual Research Directions - Additivism - HW (1) #finaid survey and (2) Additivism |
| 2 | Subtractive - VCarve and CNC Router - HW Complete the Makerspace CNC activity |
| 3 | Multiples - Discuss CNC activity - Vacuuforming; Moldmaking; Kitbashing and Greebles; - HW Assign Midterm - Proposal DUE Monday - Vacuum forming demo in Envision |
| 4 | Casting - Work time/shop time; - Research Project Introduction; - Midterm one-on-ones |
| 5 | Work Time and 3d CNC - Guest on machining / milling 3d CNC - Work Time/shop time - Research Project Introduction - HW Final Project Proposal |
| 6 | Midterm Critique - Presentations and Critiques - Independent Research one-on-ones - HW Final Project Pitch Presentations - HW Submit Project 1 Documentation DUE Friday end of day. |
| 7 | Final Pitch Presentations - Research Pitch Presentations - Work time / shop time |
| 8 | Working Critiques - Work in Progress critique; |
| 9 | Work Time / Finishing Time - Introduce final project report - Individual peer and faculty support on project completion; - Discuss staging for presentations |
| 10 | Final Critique - Final Presentations and discussion - FAH Inkwell together with VIS101B and special guests |
| Finals | Submit Documentation - NO CLASS MEETING - Final Documentation DUE - Final Report / Whitepaper DUE (see assignment) |
Workshops
In the first four weeks we will do a series of workshops on advanced techniques in the DIB Makerspace. These will be scheduled outside of class hours and have small homeworks attached. Topics include:
These will be scheduled by the end of week 1.
Possible Research Directions
Work will be evaluated on the quality of concept, the degree of experimentation (both aesthetic and technical), and final realization (again, aesthetic and technical). Prompts and rubrics will be provided with more specific details regarding each assignment and breakdowns
Exercises We will do technical workshops and exercises in the first weeks of class. Exercises will be graded on satisfactory completion with additional credit for creative, technical, expressive extension beyond requirements.
Projects We will do one smaller advanced compfab project in the first 4 weeks (Midterm), and one larger student-directed research project for the second half of the quarter (Final). For each project, students will submit a project archive containing a statement of concept, 3d models, documentation of the work, discussion of results, and future directions. Students will submit a proposal/concept for their project to receive instructor feedback, and then work to complete the project. Projects will be presented and critiqued in class and project archives will be submitted for grading.
Digital Sketchbook For this class you will maintain a cumulative digital sketchbook documenting your exercises and project development. This includes images of sketches, 3d models, textual descriptions, and photos of complete work. There will be periodic graded checks of the sketchbook (beginning, midterm, and end) of quarter for a grade.
Participation Contributions to class discussions and active participation in small group work are essential to both the momentum of the course and the development of your ideas. This requires that you come to class prepared (having completed assigned reading and writing) and ready to participate in class activities. This course is based on project-based learning and you are expected to contribute as a responsible member of the community. See the participation evaluation in the Grading Scale below for more information.
A+ = 97-100 | A = 94-97 | A- = 90-94
B+ = 87-90 | B = 84-87 | B- = 80-84
C+ = 77-80 | C = 74-77 | C- = 70-74
F = below 70%
Here is a description of the kind of participation in the course that would earn you an A, B, C, etc. Your instructor may use pluses and minuses to reflect your participation more fairly, but this is a general description for each letter grade.
A – Excellent
Excellent participation is marked by near-perfect attendance and rigorous preparation for class work. You respond to questions and activities with enthusiasm and insight and you listen and respond thoughtfully to your peers. You submit assignments on time, adhering to posted requirements, and demonstrate a thorough engagement with the assignment. You respond creatively to any feedback you receive (from both your peers and instructor). You are an active contributor to classroom community.
B – Good
Good participation is marked by near-perfect attendance and thorough preparation for class. You respond to questions with specificity and make active contributions to class. You submit assignments on time, and demonstrate a thorough engagement with the assignment. You respond effectively to the feedback you receive (from both your peers and instructor). You are a regular and reliable contributor to classroom community.
C – Satisfactory
Satisfactory participation is marked by regular attendance and preparation for class. You respond to questions when prompted and participate in classroom activities, though you may sometimes be distracted. You are present in class, with few absences, and have done some of the work some of the time. You submit assignments and make some efforts toward revision proposals and final submission. You are involved in classroom activities, but you offer minimal feedback and you may not always contribute fully to classroom community.
F—Failing
Failing participation is marked by excessive absences, a habitual lack of preparation, and failure to engage in classroom activities and development processes.
Course-specific policies and rules.
| Attendance | Late Work | Academic Integrity | Other People’s Code | UCSD Course Policies and Resources |
On-time attendance is required as well as work inside and outside of section. Please notify your instructor in advance if you must be absent for illness or family emergency. Any absences must be cleared with the instructor, or justified with written documentation (e.g. letter from team, etc.). We do not differentiate between mental and physical health and in either case please be in communication for when you need to take a day off. After a student misses a week’s worth of classes each subsequent missed class will result in the reduction of the final grade by a full letter grade (i.e., A to B, B- to C-) Excessive tardiness or leaving early will also impact your grade and will follow the same rubric.
An assignment may receive an F if a student does not participate in every phase of the development of the project and meet all deadlines for preliminary materials (proposals, drafts, work in progress, etc.). Failure to submit any of the graded course assignments is grounds for failure in the course. If an exercise or project, plus required addenda, is not submitted in class on the date due, it will be considered late and will lose one 5% for each day or part of a day past due. Assignments are due in class and via online submission, as specified in assignment descriptions. Any late submissions must be approved by your faculty instructor well in advance of the due date.
Integrity of scholarship is essential for an academic community. The University expects that both faculty and students will honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of University intellectual work. For students, this means that all academic work will be done by the individual to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. http://senate.ucsd.edu/Operating-Procedures/Senate-Manual/Appendices/2
We will use many open source resources to make our work. It is ok to use others’ code, or their 3d models. However, you need to cite your sources, and you need to do transformative work/make it your own.
Students registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities are to provide copies of their AFA letters to both the course instructor and the OSD Liaison of the Visual Arts Department . If you have any questions about utilizing your OSD accommodation, please contact Dept. OSD Liaison at vis-ug@ucsd.edu or 858-534-2860. You may also contact the Office of Students with Disabilities directly at osd@ucsd.edu or 858-534-4382. http://disabilities.ucsd.edu/
Students are responsible for knowing the university academic policies and resources found on this page):
This public acknowledgment serves to honor and respect Indigenous peoples and their land on which our campus resides. UC San Diego was built upon the territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. From time immemorial, the Kumeyaay people have been a part of this land. Today, the Kumeyaay people continue to maintain their political sovereignty and cultural traditions as vital members of the San Diego community.