Thirteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This work discusses the role of digital fabrication laboratories, belonging to the universe of maker culture as a facilitator in interdisciplinary education between design and engineering areas. New social, cultural, economic, and policy needs have demanded different educational approaches that stimulate creativity and inventiveness. Digital fabrication labs can be seen as an environment where there is an opportunity to introduce more efficiently and naturally scientific and academic contents, necessary for the basic training of engineering. These contents, often taught abstractly, without practical application and in an uninspiring way, can be seen as hands on experiments that can be experienced by students, where diverse knowledge and skills are needed and mingle in a supportive and facilitator environment. The design can contribute in this context, demonstrating new ways to see, think, and act, putting people and their needs at the centre of the process, providing techniques and tools of project development and solution of complex problems based on empathy, in co-creation and experimentation as ways to integrate with other areas of knowledge such as engineering. Topics covered include: the current scenario of education in higher education of engineering and design, aspects of engineering design, “soft skills” currently required in the formation of the engineer, the maker culture and digital manufacturing, characteristics of a digital fabrication lab, how is the process of project development in a digital fabrication lab, and what is the contribution of design in this context.