#maker units

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Adobe's State of Create Study

Did you know that over 50% of the people involved in Adobe's study considered creativity to be stifled by education?

View the complete study here.

Adobe has a similar goal to me: to increase access to creative tools and to promote creativity for everyone.  This study was conducted to find out more about attitudes and barriers towards creativity, and it has allowed me to use real statistics in support of my beliefs about creativity.  For example, the main reason why people do not create is because they have not got access to tools.  Adobe's definition of "tools" may be more software-oriented, but this means that addressing the problem of tool access will have a larger impact on creativity than solving other barriers to creativity, such as the understanding of technology (less than 10% of people considered this a barrier, interestingly)  

I will be using certain parts of this study to create an infographic which can quickly and effectively communicate why we need to promote creativity and why increasing tool access is a great way to do that.

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Full scale 2D prototype

This model shows the dimensions and modules of the Maker Unit.  The top image is a Vinyl Cutter Maker Unit in its open position, the lower left image is the same unit in its closed position, and the lower right image is a bookbinding setup.  I will be checking the ergonomics of this height for different purposes.

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Maker Units Prototype Book 

2nd prototype, with revisions and correct page placement.  This is currently being tested

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Maker Unit Cerlox and Coil Bookbinding Prototype

Cerlox and Coil bindings are the easiest and quickest ways to bind paper together.  I met with a Maker to discuss this process, and although I had hoped for a more classic and craft-based bookbinding style using thread and glue, this process is still interesting and rare to have in schools.  It is also easier to comprehend because it does not require a special printing method to get the pages in the right order, pages can be added and removed, and it's quick to use resulting in a very small bottleneck.  This means that the Maker Unit could have a focus on the book's contents rather than the method.

Setting: anywhere.  A class of any type may use this Unit to bind small books, varying from art portfolios to written reports.  

Project: If there is no project in mind, a class can create a calendar, a small magazine, or class yearbook by themselves or in groups.  

Booklet:  A simple process booklet showing the teacher and students how to use the machine safely.  The teacher will have a resource booklet that allows them to lead the class through the project, but work will be done on the computer or on other paper since the booklet is the outcome.

Risks: papercuts, pinching of hands in the lever, messing up the cut and having useless holes

Unit Contents:  

Top- basic worktop with the machine either bolted down (for heavy models) or set down.  Enough space in front of machine to prepare paper

1st drawer- Cerlox and coils of 11" and 8.5" sizes, acetate sheets, crimper for the coiled books

2nd drawer - Resources for the teacher, instructions, power cords if model is automatic, storage for lever if model is manual

Cabinet - vertical (or horizontal - perhaps better for transport) dividers to store glossy papers, cardstock, coloured papers, and more.  Paper will be selected based on the project, and will have a limit of a certain amount per student.

Base - industrial locking wheels

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Maker Unit Desktop Lathe Prototype

Co-designed with Javen, a desktop lathe user.

Setting:  Tech design or Maker class, requires access to a shop vac and suitable workshop conditions.  The teacher will have training in tool use but potentially not the lathe.  

Project: Design a shape and make a candlestick using the lathe.  Approximately 30 minutes for each student on the lathe, with 2 lathes.  Unit will be rented for enough days to get every student on it, approximately 1 week.

Booklet:  Sketching warm up with ellipses, designing the shape, instructions to use a lathe, drawing the finished product.

Risks:  Potential injury on lathe if badly used.  Risks lowered by a circular stock, sharp and effective tools, and training.  Teacher will need a quick lesson from a Maker Unit pro to ensure that they understand good and bad practices.

Unit contents:  

Top - Fold-down lockable cover, middle shield to catch cuttings, air intake in the middle to be attached to a shop vac from the back

1st drawer for access during tool use- 2 double-ended cutting tools with spare heads to ensure a good tool for every student.  Glue, face shields and glasses, calipers, wax for finishing, earplugs and over-ear protection, lathe maintenance tools (depends on brand) 

Cabinet with interior drawers - Pre-drilled round basswood stock to make the process faster and safer.  Candlestick inserts, candles, rubber feet.

2nd drawer - Lab coats, booklets and teaching resources.

Base - Fold-out worktable style legs

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3 Maker Unit Concepts

Top:  A flexible, primarily craft-based Maker Unit which features an unbroken and sturdy workspace which can have places to add on vices, hangers, and other tools.

Middle: A stacking unit which can be changed to suit each technology,  For example, a 3D printer requires large storage for the materials, but a soldering kit requires small and shallow divided drawers.  This allows variation without too much extra cost.

Bottom:  This Unit is futuristic and intriguing to make the experience of bringing a Maker Unit into a school even more memorable,  It has a shield to reduce interference during use and protect the technology when it's in storage.

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Second round of sketches and a classification of tech <-> craft style making.  Main ideas include a way to stack and change the function of the storage and tables.

Personally I think craft Maker Units would be really cool.  A couple of summers ago I taught an Enrichment Mini-Course Program about Upcycling, and we used all the paper recycling from the week-long course to make homemade paper.  The kids were really intrigued by it because unlike most upcycling projects it results in a completely unrecognizable material that can then be used in other projects (more like the real definition of upcycling). We then used the paper to make flowers and handmade mother's day cards.  My dad made the supplies that we used to make paper at home and during the course, and other supplies are easy to come by.  However, having a Maker Unit that contains high quality screens, a safe hand blender, properly shaped bucket, a drying rack, and options for colouring and decorating the pulp would make the result even more special and professional.

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This is a research summary group presentation by me and the rest of the Maker group.  My section is Design for Education and the Future, and I discuss the need to focus on the most resistant user and how to implement a realistic short- and long-term plan for Ottawa Maker education.