Public Online Workshop: CAD for Absolute Beginners

*Booking opens at 11am on Friday 17th July*

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.

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 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.

On the use of Zoom: We are using Zoom as a third party in order to enable our online knitting circles but please be aware that there are concerns about Zoom's approach to privacy. Users of Zoom should ensure that they have read and understand Zoom’s privacy policy. In any case, where possible we recommend using the web-based version of Zoom rather than using the app, which allows greater control of the information shared with the provider, although using the browser-based version of Zoom will not work for some of our events, including this particular workshop. We will keep looking into our use of Zoom for online events as well as weighing up other video calling options.