This intensive 7-week workshop introduces ITP students to biofabrication through syringe-based and embedded (FRESH) fabrication techniques for working with soft matter. Students will convert off-the-shelf 3D printers into direct-write systems and learn repeatable protocols to formulate, tune, and test a wide range of soft materials, including hydrogels (alginate, gelatin, agar), rheology-modified support baths, silicone and elastomeric systems, and composite soft materials. Through hands-on experimentation, students calibrate material behavior such as flow, shape retention, flexibility, and durability, enabling structures not achievable with FFF/FDM or resin printing. Applications may include soft interfaces, squishy buttons and sensors, skin-contact components, edible and food-safe gels, soft robotics elements, and sculptural or installation-scale forms. Conducted in a workshop environment (no living cells), the course emphasizes material literacy, open-source workflows, and exploratory making for interaction, fabrication, and research-driven practices at ITP.
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