The Center for Design
The Center for Design offers a unique laboratory for the exploration of design and fabrication. This facility is open to all Hampshire College students and features a shop equipped for work in a wide range of materials and processes.
Students may use the facility for academic and personal projects. There are no prerequisites to use the facility, and all skill levels are welcome.
♦Learn more here about the Center for Design.♦
An Overview
Gaining access to the Center for Design can be as simple as dropping in or setting up an appointment with the facility staff. The facility is supervised by two full-time staff members and is open six days a week, including three evenings. Whether you have a specific project in mind or would simply like to learn how to use some equipment, we are available to help. We will work with you on design issues, teach you how to work safely in the shop, give instruction on the equipment you need to use, and provide on-going assistance and supervision. You are also welcome to attend an information session, training, or workshop to help you become familiar with the facility and what you can do here. There is a wide range of faculty and staff involved in the center for design.
Training is a great way for students to familiarize themselves with our facility. Training covers the use of shop equipment, and is conducted in the first half of each semester and during winter break. A full schedule of training, workshops, and courses is published at the beginning of each semester and for winter break.
The design lab is available to all students for design-related work, and is open any time that the facility is open. It contains computer workstations running a number of 2D and 3D drawing and modeling programs, as well as manual drafting equipment.
Major Facility Capabilities
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Machining
- Welding
- Metal fabrication
- Sewing and industrial sewing
- Sheet metal work
- Electronics
- Jewelry
- Plastic thermoforming
- 3D Printing
- Blacksmithing
- Glass work
- General mechanics
- Plasma cutting