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https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1861/workshop5.pdf
Hands on soft prototyping and its applications in
educational practices
Adriana Cabrera
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
Kamp-Lintfort, Germany
adriana.cabrera@hochschule-rhein-waal.de
ABSTRACT In this workshop we will look at the spectrum of
Hands-on soft prototyping and its educational practices is a prototyping in educational practices and its impact in the
workshop that will present an overview of the activities in global and local community. In the first part of the
digital fabrication, soft materials and sustainable production workshop we will share some of the local and global
in Open Labs and university practices. During the community activities. In the second part, we will work on
workshop participants will explore different soft materials soft prototyping, experimenting with different conductive
thinking in the possibilities of application and how to and non-conductive materials, thinking in the possibilities
introduce interactivity and ways of prototyping from a of generating embodiment interaction and its applications.
material research point of view.
WORKSHOP PROPOSAL
Author Keywords In this workshop we will reminisce the role of surface and
Soft Prototyping, Digital Manufacturing, Materials research materials in the process of prototyping. For this aim
method. Soft Interfaces, Social Fabrication. emerging technologies and methods of prototyping will be
ACM Classification Keywords introduced and evaluated from the materials research design
[3] looking for a new way of fabrication with soft
H.5.m. Information interfaces and presentation (e.g., HCI): interfaces.
Miscellaneous; D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques: User
Interface In this overview, previous experiences in the Fab Lab
practices will be referred, illustrating how professors,
INTRODUCTION students and researchers from different disciplines can
Digital Fabrication has in the last times been increasing the make an approach in this field. Next, attendees will be
boundaries of how and why we are manufacturing. This instructed about the materials and their experimentation
process provides efficiency and individualization of the with modularity within non-conductive and conductive
prototype, working in a small scale, but in a high level of materials for interaction practices.
complexity. This development includes not only the use of
the machines but also an in depth study of the materiality of In this context, we will explore some Sensoaesthetic [4]
prototyping, process and their applications. perceptions of the materials and the transformation that
comes with digital fabrication, thinking in their possible
Why Rapid Prototype? On one side, Rapid Prototype refers applications and implications. Participants will have the
to functionality and effectiveness, on the other side, it opportunity to explore through prototyping and with the
empowers the transition from digital to tangible. Tangibility materials at their disposition. At the end of the session, we
is the matter that connects the objects to something real, will share the results, and discuss future work and the
understandable and near to the human being. The impact in the global community.
possibilities to conduct experimental research in soft
fabrication in an open laboratory gives the physical and WORKSHOP TOPIC COVERED
mental space for innovative re-thinking and reframing of Model making and its impact
today's realities. It offers the resources for visions to be Model making is one of the practices that connects the
materialized, tested, developed and makes an active impact visualization of our thoughts to the human tangible space.
in people’s life, not as a linear process, but as a spiral With typical drawing or computer modelling, your brain
iteration and implementation in the reality [1]. must interpolate a third dimension, assuming relationship
Practicing with materials allows a participatory process of between the previous experiences with the objects [3], but
learning and making by experimenting, creating feedback with rapid prototype, we have the ability to produce actual
loops with project development, where materials, material objects, even in full scale. The model as an actual
aesthetics, sustainability and customization play equal and object, becomes an autonomous thing that one can feel and
important roles [2]. see for what it is. The brain is allowed to observe, analyze
and project. “Your mind is like a database of sensory
experiences [4].”.
Linking manufacturing with soft prototyping ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Textiles and its production has had a very important role in
Adriana Cabrera is scientific assistant in the project 3D
the history of machines and industrial fabrication. As a
Competence Center Niederrhein in the FabLab Kamp-
material, textile remarks the development of personal
Lintfort, Germany, at the University of Applied Sciences
fabrication due to the individualization in the process of
Rhine Waal. Originally from Colombia, she works in
making clothes. Soft goods have a strong connection with
different areas of design, art and interaction. Having a
the development of bespoke fabrication. Soft prototyping,
background in Industrial Design, she complemented her
hacking, reconfiguring and individualizing are some of the
studies in the MFA Media Art and Design at Bauhaus
features that facilitate an open laboratory. Today, these
University Weimar, combining traditional techniques with
activities allow the intervention of the new craftsman in the
new technologies in the field of Printed Electronics. In
digital manufacturing era.
2013, she began the studies MA Surface and Textile Design
Fablabs and the educational practices at the Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin, focusing on
There are different aspects that make the FabLab a material research, introducing textiles as a medium of
generator of knowledge. Digital fabrication laboratories are communication. She completed the FabAcademy 2016 with
becoming incubators for innovative technologies, and the project MyOrthotics, developing an orthosis for a
creators of derivative and disruptive initiatives, patient with a paralysis in his left arm. She also participated
implemented in the “real” word. The philosophy of making in the Textile Academy at the Waag Society, Amsterdam.
is transforming the way of learning, in which teachers, She is leading workshops in soft prototyping and
professors and students are learning together. Documenting implementing a sustainable experimentation at FabLab
the work process creates a setting where the FabLab users Kamp-Lintfort by exploring new bio inspired design, soft
are not only learning through the making process, but also interfaces and the impact of today's prototyping.
there are able to teach it afterwards. This process allows the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
engagement of the participants and them to be independent
This introduction of soft prototyping research and activities
in their own experimentation.
in digital fabrication for educational practices are supported
“We work locally, while creating connected communities by the project 3D Competence Center Niederrhein
globally” [2]. This exchange between communities opens Germany.
the opportunities for learning and extends the thoughts in
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http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/research/sensoaes
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