Welcome!

This course will explore expression within physical form—how it can be developed from and integrated into our known two-dimensional screens. As screen-based media has become the default communication, it also is in collaboration with printed matter. 3D object creation is the latest frontier for adaptive media-making, and students will take a journey through their storytelling process from screen to print to object and possibly to virtual reality. 

Structure

A variety of instructional methods—demonstrations, online learning modules, self-directed and cooperative learning, peer reviews, and presentations will be used to complete project-based assignments. Class times are reserved for discussion, feedback, and printing (when in the lab). Students are expected to spend additional time working to complete assignments (research, reading, sketching, computer work, presentation preparation, etc.). Expect to spend a minimum of eight hours of work per week outside of class. 

No prior experience with 3D printing or design is needed for this course, although the ability and academic maturity to research and learn new ideas from online resources is a requirement. Students should be prepared to learn independently about software, hardware, design, and topics related to their projects. Due to classroom and equipment restrictions in the JMU 3SPACE 3D printing classroom (http://sites.jmu.edu/3SPACE), this course is limited to 16 students.

Resources

Our Canvas course will be the primary source of information for our class: calendar due dates, assignment submissions, peer reviews, and discussions. This website will be where you and classmates will submit the development and final documentation of your major projects as public blog posts. The sidebar at the right (bottom on mobile) has quick links to each author’s most recent post, online resources, and a filter of posts by category.