Towson Spark - May 4, 2011 - Kimberly a. voigt - Digital fabrication @ tu!
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>>Good evening, I'm Kimberly Voigt.
I'm a visiting Professor in Art and Design working
with 3 digital design fabrication,
interdisciplinary object design, and foundations.
My focus for the last 12 years has been on developing
and integrating digital design and fabrication tools
in visual art and design practices.
Maybe you're wondering just who I am.
As a girl, my hero was Pippi Longstocking.
I envisioned myself the world's strongest girl.
As a young adult for some reason I acquired the nickname "Kimbo".
I was a serious young lady.
More recently I acquired the name "Kimpossible."
No challenge is too tough for me.
Tonight I'm here to talk about digital fabrication so hold
on to your seats because I've got a lot to share.
Whether you know it or not,
digital fabrication is everywhere around you;
from vehicle and product design to medical, military,
and aerospace industries, academic research
and education, to business and art.
It's changing and impacting every aspect of our lives.
Our understanding of science
and math is evolving with digital tools.
The image of the 2.5 meter termite mound in the middle
of this slide exemplifies the possibilities
of capturing interior data through integrating X-ray data
and digital fabrication.
The way we think about products, use products,
and make products is changing with digital tools.
Sketch Furniture turns freehand sketches into solid objects
by combining two advanced techniques; motion capture
and rapid prototyping with pen strokes made in the air,
recorded with Motion Capture, and become 3D digital files
which are then printed into functional furniture.
Medical miracles are happening daily.
Complex conjoined twin separations are successfully
completed with the help of digital imaging and printing.
Mothers to be can get 3D ultrasounds and 3D prints
of their fetus for novelty purposes or to detect
and analyze birth defects.
Artists are taking the tools in technology to create new places.
[Inaudible] work creates custom type of cement rapid prototyping
and Geoffrey Mann creates sculptures that translate light
and movement through RP plaster composites and glass.
You know it, digital design
and fabrication are the driving forces behind the multi-billion
dollar animation action figure industry.
Architects are not only using digital tools,
but also inventing new tools from the creation
of architectural binders.
It goes by many names; rapid prototyping, 3D printing,
FABing, rapid manufacturing, whatever you want to call it,
the technology behind the materials
and the printers combined with human ingenuity, creativity,
and research are driving the possibilities.
SLS, SLA, FDM, UV curing light techniques, SEQUEL objects,
[inaudible], PD Systems and Visiontech, stainless steel,
wax, polycarbonate, acrylic polymers, recycled glass,
photosensitive resins, gypsum,
regular medical grade nylons make up the technologies
and the companies of the materials
that define digital fabrication now.
We're fortunate to be able to partner with local companies
like Direct Dimensions and PCS Engineering.
Partnering with local companies enable students internships
and employment and onsite field trips.
Local partners offer a range of two-way opportunities.
Our students benefit from these partnerships
and Direct Dimensions is benefiting
from my ongoing involvement
in the renowned international technology conference SIGGRAPH.
It's the world's largest and most recognized conference
for computer graphics and interactive techniques
and the studio is the place for making art.
I have the privilege to invite Mike Raphael
from Direct Dimensions to be a panelist
in our opening keynote panel this summer.
Collaborative projects
around disciplinary activities are valuable
learning experiences.
Our students have the potential
to affect not only their disciplines, but the world.
As we've been planning for digital fabrication
from the digital fabrication lab here at Towson,
we've been busy working with the desktop laser scanner,
a laser cutter, and the DIY MakerBot printer.
The MakerBot is a little finicky, but believe it
or not, it's under $1,000.
For student success and understanding
of the technology parameters
and the machine specific materials is essential.
For this reason, we've been developing a tangible material
database for students to interact with enabling them
to see and touch and understand the process,
facilitates better work in student's success.
Rachel Timmins is a current metals and jewelry MFA student;
I've been working with Rachel for 3 semesters.
She came in knowing nothing about digital design
and fabrication and is now making great work.
Amy [inaudible] graduated last semester with her MFA
in metals and jewelry.
Both Amy and Rachel are doing ground breaking work
through successful integration of digital fabrication
and hand work; a somewhat controversial topic.
Our undergraduates in metals and jewelry
and interdisciplinary object design are embracing digital
fabrication tools and creating interesting
and innovative works.
I'd like to begin with a selection
of images from a piece of mine.
In this work, the snowflake is a symbol of loss,
mourning, and our humanity.
Like human life, a snowflake is a miracle of nature.
Every snowflake is not only beautiful, but also different.
Ironically it's the flaws that define the differences.
One snowflake is fragile unique and fleeting, but combined
with other snowflakes it becomes something more.
Just like us.
Thank you very much.
[ Applause ]
