The Digital Fabrication Lab

Please take a moment to read the first chapter of The Maker Movement Manifesto authored by Mark Hatch, CEO and co-founder of Techshop. It introduces the core principles of the Maker Movement, highlighting the innate human desire to create and innovate. Hatch suggests that the process of making physical objects is a deeply rewarding experience that connects individuals with their creativity and cultural roots. He links the act of creation to both spiritual and philosophical journeys, proposing that making is integral to human identity. Key principles discussed include making, sharing, giving, learning, tool use, play, participation, support, and embracing change. These principles act as a call for people to engage in creative activities, whether for personal fulfillment, community development, or societal progress. The manifesto encourages readers to adapt and make these principles their own, reflecting the movement’s focus on individual creativity and innovation.

In supporting the UIC community's creative and educational projects, we hope you have the opportunity to embrace these principles and explore how they can enhance your own work, foster collaboration, and contribute to a culture of innovation.

Digital labor refers to work that is performed in digital environments, involving the use of technology or digital tools. It can encompass a wide range of activities, both paid and unpaid, that contribute to the functioning of digital technologies and services. Digital labor can sometimes be exploited, with many workers being subjected to low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of job security despite the significant value they create for the academic community. This includes much of the hidden labor behind digital scholarship projects, with only the end product often being visible, while the extensive and sometimes underpaid work behind the creation, organization, and upkeep of digital resources is overlooked.

In using the Hub, please understand that our staff's labor extends beyond just providing equipment and space. It also includes the time and effort spent on consultations, maintaining equipment, supporting projects, conducting research, and ensuring that resources are accessible and functioning. This work is essential to the success of your projects, and we ask for your respect and consideration of the staff's contributions.

Aren't we creating more waste that could harm our Mother Nature in the name of nurturing creativity? 

We aim to challenge the traditional notion of perfection by embracing environmentally conscious and inclusive practices. In our approach, we prioritize sustainability over flawless manufacturing. For this reason, we use 20% infill instead of 100% for 3D printing. While 100% infill may replicate high-end manufacturing quality, it requires more filament, which can harm the environment due to its difficulty in decomposition. We may also ask you to resize your design to maximize the use of our remaining materials (filament, plywood, or acrylic) from other projects.

We believe that perfect designs often consume excessive resources, and this excess can be detrimental to both the environment and the spirit of creative innovation. Therefore, we focus on functionality and meaning over absolute perfection, which somehow echoes modernist architectural emphasis on a minimalist esthetic. Flaws and imperfections that may arise during fabrication can often be addressed through post-processing techniques, such as sanding, allowing for a balance between quality, resource conservation, and creativity.

By embracing imperfection, we foster creativity, reduce our environmental footprint, and encourage a mindful approach to fabrication that values both sustainability and ingenuity.