Intro to Fabrication

Molly Ritmiller | Syllabus | IMNY-UT 242 | Thur 09:00am to 12:00pm in 370 Jay St, Room 411 Meetings:7-First Half
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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Time to get your hands dirty. Prototypes need to be created, motors have to be mounted, enclosures must be built. Understanding how things are fabricated makes you a better maker.

But hardware is hard. You can’t simply copy and paste an object or working device (not yet anyway), fabrication skills and techniques need to be developed and practiced in order to create quality work. You learn to make by doing.

In this class you will become familiar and comfortable with all the ITP/IMA shop has to offer. We will cover everything from basic hand tools to the beginnings of digital fabrication. You will learn to use the right tool for the job.

There will be weekly assignments created to develop your fabrication techniques. There will be in class lectures, demos, and building assignments. Emphasis will be put on good design practices, material choice, and craftsmanship.

CNC and More (Topics in Fabrication)

Phil Caridi | IMNY-UT 250 | TBD Meetings:
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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Take your digital fabrication skills to the next level. This class will focus on 3-axis CNC, 4-axis CNC, the Shaper Origin, the Bantam Desktop Mill, Metal Laser Cutting, advanced handheld router techniques, and the wood lathe. This course will also focus on exploring design considerations for digital fabrication.

Introduction to 3D Printing

Xuedi Chen | Syllabus | IMNY-UT 244 | Tues 5:20pm to 8:20pm in 370 Jay St, Room 407 Meetings:7-First Half
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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Prerequisite – Communications Lab (IMNY-UT 102) OR equivalent coursework.

3D environments and objects are powerful prototyping tools. This class will introduce the basics of 3D modeling techniques in Rhino and students will learn to create assets for prototyping and 3D printing. The class will take an industrial design approach to design and build with specifications and materials in mind. Students will learn to think, plan, design, and produce well thought out objects to fit their specific needs. (examples: motor mounts, enclosures, wearables etc.)

Adapting Everyday Items (Topics in Physical Computing and Experimental Interfaces)

Holly Cohen | Syllabus | IMNY-UT 248 | Mon 5:20pm to 8:20pm in 370 Jay Street, Room 316C Meetings:7-First Half
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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For individuals with disabilities, custom adaptations can be critical for a myriad of activities, including work, play, daily living, and actively participating with family and community. Recent advancements in affordable DIY technologies have created opportunities for individuals and communities to build, modify, and adapt countless everyday items. This course examines accessibility and barriers to inclusion, the field of custom adaptations, and the open source and maker communities working together to deliver affordable solutions. Students will develop weekly prototypes as well as a final project.

Introduction to Digital Fabrication

Maya Pollack | Adrian Edgard Rivera | IMNY-UT 252 | Tues 09:00am to 12:00pm in 370 Jay St, Room 407 Meetings:14
Prerequisites: None |
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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Do you want to MAKE THINGS with your computer? Are you an artist, engineer, designer, sculptor or architect? Are you a few of those things? How are 3D scanning and 3D modeling different? What materials should I be using? Should I be 3D printing or CNC-ing this CAD file? What is a boolean operation and why is it my new best friend? This class will answer all of your questions. Don’t know what any of these things are? This class will answer those questions also.

By the end of this course, you will be familiar with all that digital fabrication has to offer. We will cover everything from laser to 3D to CNC. You will learn how to identify which digital fabrication technique works best for your projects. But more than that, you will learn what kinds of questions you should be asking in order to complete a project from start to finish. As technology advances at rapid speeds, digital making machines and software are changing just as fast. So instead of just being taught about the machines of today, you will also be given the tools to teach yourself the machines of tomorrow. Emphasis will be put on learning how to ask the right kind of questions to successfully finish a project.

What do you want to make? Let’s make it.

Physical Computing

Yeseul Song | Syllabus | IMNY-UT 245 | Tues 3:40pm to 6:40pm in 370 Jay St, Room 411 Meetings:14
Last updated: July 3, 2025
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This course expands the students’ palette for physical interaction design with computational media. We look away from the limitations of the mouse, keyboard and monitor interface of today’s computers, and start instead with the expressive capabilities of the human body. We consider uses of the computer for more than just information retrieval and processing, and at locations other than the home or the office. The platform for the class is a microcontroller, a single-chip computer that can fit in your hand. The core technical concepts include digital, analog and serial input and output. Core interaction design concepts include user observation, affordances, and converting physical action into digital information. Students have weekly lab exercises to build skills with the microcontroller and related tools, and longer assignments in which they apply the principles from weekly labs in creative applications. Both individual work and group work is required.

Prerequisite: Creative Computing or equivalent programming and physical computing experience.

Designing Interfaces for Live Performance

David Rios | IMNY-UT.243 | Mon 09:00am to 10:30am in 370 Jay St, Room 409> Wed 09:00am to 10:30am in 370 Jay St, Room 409 Meetings:14
Last updated: December 5, 2024
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This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience working with sensors and other electronics to design interfaces for a live, on stage, audio and visual performance at the end of the semester. Using Arduino, Ableton Live, and TouchDesigner, students will explore the expressive properties of physical hardware, sound, and live visuals. The forms and uses of physical computing, audio, computational media, and its application are explored weekly in both a hands on laboratory context, as well as weekly discussions of readings and existing performances.

Prerequisites: Creative Computing, Communications Lab: Hypercinema

Immersivity Beyond the Display

MK Skitka | Syllabus | IMNY-UT.281 | Mon 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450> Wed 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450 Meetings:
Last updated: December 5, 2024
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In recent years, “immersive digital experiences” have gained widespread popularity, from commercial exhibits like Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience to museums adapting spaces for digital art and brands leveraging interactive installations for promotion. But are these experiences truly immersive, and how can we evaluate them?

Immersivity Beyond the Display delves into the design of visual, interactive installations. Each week, students will modify existing sketches in p5.js to explore immersive design principles while building on foundational programming skills. “Demo days” will provide opportunities to test and reflect on each other’s prototypes. We will focus on narrative development, embodiment, social and emotional engagement and interaction mechanics to frame our exploration.  Weekly exercises will be enriched with relevant readings and discussions. By the end of the class, students will have developed their own model for evaluating immersivity in interactive digital experiences.

Prerequisite: Students should have completed Creative Computing or possess equivalent coding experience with p5.js and JavaScript.

Large Scale Kinetic Installation (Topics in Physical Computing)

Phil Caridi | IMNY-UT.240 | Mon 12:20pm to 1:50pm in 370 Jay St, Room 409> Wed 12:20pm to 1:50pm in 370 Jay St, Room 409 Meetings:14
Last updated: December 5, 2024
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Have you ever wanted to make something bigger than a tabletop? Do you like art that physically moves? Well if you answered yes to those questions then this is the class for you. Working in large site-specific formats is always an enticing proposition, this course is designed to bring students through the process of scaling a concept into a large-scale kinetic installation. Working individually at first and then moving into group work this class also teaches how to collaborate, communicate, and compromise to reach a common goal. Students will engage in a hands-on approach to designing, budgeting, and building an installation.

Prerequisites: Intro to Fab or Intro to DigiFab

Re-Plasticing (Topics in Fabrication)

Molly Ritmiller | IMNY-UT.251 | Tues 09:00am to 12:00pm in 370 Jay St, Room 410 Meetings:7-Second Half
Last updated: December 5, 2024
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The central focus of this fabrication class is ‘replasticing.’ Replasticing: the act of remaking/reforming single use plastic into new objects.

In addition to learning about plastic’s properties, various forms and history, students will also learn how to fabricate and 3D Print PLA Plastic, DIY recycle and use extruders and injection molds to recast “waste” plastic in their class projects. Students will then take a close look at the waste stream in NYC and Brooklyn, and research the end-of-life cycle for plastics.

The class will culminate in a collaborative project contributing to and creating new solutions for the Tandon Makerspace in managing their excess of PLA 3D print waste. Solutions can be anything from designing recycled plastic objects and tools, to systems for community engagement and efficient processing of the PLA scraps in the Makerspace.

By creating opportunities for communities to have access to DIY recycling, we will re-imagine waste; re-configure design practices; and re-value plastic’s potential in a circular economy.

Prerequisites: Intro to Fabrication

After Creative Coding (Topics in Media Art)

MK Skitka | Syllabus | IMNY-UT.281 | Mon 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450> Wed 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450 Meetings:
Last updated: November 5, 2024
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This seven-week course challenges students to extend their knowledge of creative computing into the exciting realm of embodied interfaces. Building upon the fundamentals taught in Creative Computing, this course will explore the design and implementation of interactive systems that integrate the body as a controller of technology.

Going beyond the limitations of traditional mouse, keyboard, and screen interactions, we will investigate how movement, gesture, and physical interaction can be used to create engaging and meaningful user experiences. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops, students will gain a deeper understanding of:

Sensor Technologies and Physical Computing: Working with sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes) to capture and interpret human movement and environmental data.

Movement Analysis and Interpretation: Techniques for analyzing movement patterns, extracting meaningful features, and mapping them to computational processes.

Performance and Embodiment in Technology: Investigating how technology can facilitate new forms of expression and performance.

The course will culminate in one proof of concept project utilizing one of the techniques explored in class.

Prerequisites: Completion of Creative Computing or equivalent experience with Arduino and Javascript p5.

Topics in Media Art: After Creative Coding

MK Skitka | Syllabus | IMNY-UT.281 | Mon 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450> Wed 7:00pm to 8:30pm in 370 Jay Street Room 450 Meetings:
Last updated: October 11, 2024
Show Course Description

This seven-week course challenges students to extend their knowledge of creative computing into the exciting realm of embodied interfaces. Building upon the fundamentals taught in Creative Computing, this course will explore the design and implementation of interactive systems that integrate the body as a controller of technology.

Going beyond the limitations of traditional mouse, keyboard, and screen interactions, we will investigate how movement, gesture, and physical interaction can be used to create engaging and meaningful user experiences. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops, students will gain a deeper understanding of:

Sensor Technologies and Physical Computing: Working with sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes) to capture and interpret human movement and environmental data.

Movement Analysis and Interpretation: Techniques for analyzing movement patterns, extracting meaningful features, and mapping them to computational processes.

Performance and Embodiment in Technology: Investigating how technology can facilitate new forms of expression and performance.

The course will culminate in one proof of concept project utilizing one of the techniques explored in class.

Prerequisites: Completion of Creative Computing or equivalent experience with Arduino and Javascript p5.

Topics in Physical Computing: Large Scale Kinetic Installation

Phil Caridi | IMNY-UT.240 | Mon 12:20pm to 1:50pm in 370 Jay St, Room 409> Wed 12:20pm to 1:50pm in 370 Jay St, Room 409 Meetings:14
Last updated: October 11, 2024
Show Course Description

Have you ever wanted to make something bigger than a tabletop? Do you like art that physically moves? Well if you answered yes to those questions then this is the class for you. Working in large site-specific formats is always an enticing proposition, this course is designed to bring students through the process of scaling a concept into a large-scale kinetic installation. Working individually at first and then moving into group work this class also teaches how to collaborate, communicate, and compromise to reach a common goal. Students will engage in a hands-on approach to designing, budgeting, and building an installation.

Prerequisites: Intro to Fab or Intro to DigiFab

Topics in Media Arts: Intro To Wearables: Adorning the Head and Face for Communication

Daniel Ryan Johnston | Syllabus | IMNY-UT.260 | TBD Meetings:14
Last updated: March 12, 2024
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This course is designed to provide an introduction to designing wearable technology for the head, face and upper body. It will also present an overview of interaction design for the body. The class will begin with an introduction to nonverbal communication through upper body adornment as well as gesture. Next, the class will move into an E-textile 101 breakdown where we will create a simple circuit using soft materials and other sewable components (hand sewing only). After gaining an understanding of sewable electronics, the class will be working with a Nano 33 IoT along with other components. Over the weeks the class will explore the available example Arduino code in order to create interactions with LEDs and light/motion sensors. Throughout the course, the class will analyze everyday interactions and explore ways of creating wearables that interact with and communicate non-verbally to the world around us.

The course will culminate with a final project and presentation that will incorporate the tools and concepts discussed in class.

Prerequisite: Creative Computing (IMNY-UT 101)

Topics in Fabrication: Re-Plasticing

Molly Ritmiller | IMNY-UT.251 | Mon 3:40pm to 6:40pm in Meetings:7-Second Half
Last updated: October 20, 2023
Show Course Description

The central focus of this fabrication class is ‘replasticing.’ Replasticing: the act of remaking/reforming single use plastic into new objects.

In addition to learning about plastic’s properties, various forms and history, students will also learn how to fabricate and 3D Print PLA Plastic, DIY recycle and use extruders and injection molds to recast “waste” plastic in their class projects. Students will then take a close look at the waste stream in NYC and Brooklyn, and research the end-of-life cycle for plastics.

The class will culminate in a collaborative project contributing to and creating new solutions for the Tandon Makerspace in managing their excess of PLA 3D print waste. Solutions can be anything from designing recycled plastic objects and tools, to systems for community engagement and efficient processing of the PLA scraps in the Makerspace.

By creating opportunities for communities to have access to DIY recycling, we will re-imagine waste; re-configure design practices; and re-value plastic’s potential in a circular economy.

Prerequisites: Intro to Fabrication

Topics in Physical Computing and Experimental Interfaces: Large Scale Kinetic Installation

Phil Caridi | IMNY-UT.240 | Tues 09:00am to 10:30am in > Thur 09:00am to 10:30am in Meetings:14
Last updated: October 20, 2023
Show Course Description

Have you ever wanted to make something bigger than a tabletop? Do you like art that physically moves? Well if you answered yes to those questions then this is the class for you. Working in large site-specific formats is always an enticing proposition, this course is designed to bring students through the process of scaling a concept into a large-scale kinetic installation. Working individually at first and then moving into group work this class also teaches how to collaborate, communicate, and compromise to reach a common goal. Students will engage in a hands-on approach to designing, budgeting, and building an installation.

Prerequisites: Intro to Fab or Intro to DigiFab

Quick Introduction to Physical Computing

Dan O'Sullivan | IMNY-UT.103 | Tues 3:40pm to 6:40pm in > Tues 3:40pm to 6:40pm in > Tues 3:40pm to 6:40pm in Meetings:S-Special
Last updated: October 20, 2023
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Prerequisite: Prior classwork or experience programming – May not have taken Creative Computing (IMNY-UT 101).

Physical Computing is an approach to learning how humans communicate through computers that starts by considering how humans express themselves physically. In this course, we take the human body as a given, and attempt to design computing applications within the limits of its expression.

To realize this goal, you’ll learn how a computer converts the changes in energy given off by our bodies (in the form of sound, light, motion, and other forms) into changing electronic signals that it can read and interpret. You’ll learn about the sensors that do this, and about simple computers called microcontrollers that read sensors and convert their output into data. In the other direction you will learn how to actual physical things in the world with devices like speakers, lights and motors. Finally, you’ll learn how microcontrollers communicate with other computers.

To learn this, you’ll watch people and build devices. You will spend a lot of time building circuits, soldering, writing programs, building structures to hold sensors and controls, and figuring out how best to make all of these things relate to a person’s body.

Note: This course is for students who have not taken Creative Computing (IMNY-UT 101) but who have prior classwork or experience programming. Taking this course enables the waiving of Creative Computing (IMNY-UT 101) in order to take higher level courses in Physical Computing and Experimental Interfaces which otherwise have Creative Computing (IMNY-UT 101) as a prerequisite.