The Design Lab is a suite of Middlebury undergraduate classes, taught in the Makerspace, where students produce independent and then collaborative semester long design projects. The sequence below outlines each step along this path. In-Depth examples of Design Lab projects are published in the menu bar at the top of the Makerspace website.

INTD 0216—Introduction to Industrial Design

3D Printing, CNC machining, and robotic automation have transformed how objects are designed, prototyped, and manufactured. In this course we will learn fundamental 3D solid modeling techniques, iterative design strategies and fundamental additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. Every class will be hands-on and fully immersed in the high-tech tools of the industrial design process. Students will leave with a strong conceptual understanding of 3D solid modeling, printing, and machining, and an independent final project. (6hrs Lecture/Lab)

INTD 0377—Design Lab 1

High quality design succeeds through problem solving and iteration. In this studio course, students first each identify a problem and devise a solution that that uses high-tech equipment like CNC fabrication, robotics, 3D printing, laser cutting, or 2D/3D graphics. They also build a production calendar with at least two design iterations toward a final deliverable. And then they head out on the adventure of project work where they discover the unforeseen surprises, knowledge and experience gaps, and calendar setbacks that define serious design work. The outcome is a final deliverable in metal, wood, plastic, or pixels. Prerequisite: HARC 0216 (1hr Meeting + 9hrs Self-Scheduled Lab Time)

INTD 0378—Design Lab 2

In this collaborative follow-up to Design Lab 1, students move beyond their independent practice and work with a project partner (a professor or instructor, a not-for-profit or business collaborator) to identify a real-world problem. Students conduct outreach, research, planning, execution, revision, and final delivery of a solution to the problem defined. Along the way, they practice effective communication with their partner toward the goal of building strong relationships with entities on- and off-campus. Prerequisite: HARC 0377 (1hr Meeting + 9hrs Self-Scheduled Lab Time)

INTD 0530—Independent Study in Design