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Syllabus⇝

The Emergent Technologies course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of advanced digital fabrication techniques, with a focus on electronics and design. This program offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, enabling participants to develop their skills across multiple domains.

By the end of the program, students will have a robust portfolio of projects and a deep understanding of how to integrate technology into their design practices.

Keywords: Documentation, Tinkering, Design, Prototyping, Digital fabrication

Learning Objectives⇝

  • Develop skills in electronics production and embedded programming.
  • Explore advanced topics in wearable technology, soft robotics, biohacking, or skin electronics.
  • Gain hands-on experience in digital fabrication techniques.
  • Foster creativity and innovation through interdisciplinary experiences.

Methodological Strategies⇝

Elective Modules: Each student must select 4 modules from a range of specialized topics, allowing them to delve deeper into areas of personal interest and relevance to their future careers.

Hands-on Learning: The course emphasizes practical, hands-on workshops and projects, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world scenarios.

Interdisciplinary Approach: By combining modules from different domains, the course encourages an interdisciplinary approach to design and innovation.

Collaborative Learning: Students will have the opportunity to join classes with peers from different backgrounds. This collaborative environment fosters a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, enhancing the learning experience.

Materials Needs⇝

All materials needed for the course will be provided by the faculty. The students are required to bring to the classes their own students toolkit and the programming boards given to them at the start of the academic year, other development boards, sensors and actuators will be provided during the workshop.

Bring in your laptop and any prototyping tools you have around such as a cutter, tape, markers, screwdrivers...

Do you have any old appliances (radios, toys, telephones, lamps, screens, keyboards...) at home you would like to take apart? Bring them, too! (For safety reasons, avoid choosing appliances with a lot of power or that are easily heated).

Schedule⇝

Students are required to select 4 elective modules from the following options:

For each selected module, students are required to attend (in the protolab) at minimum the following classes and complete the module assignments:

  • Local Classes: Every Thursday or/and from 9:30 am to 13:30 pm CET, depending on the week
  • Global Class: Every Wednesday at 15:00 pm CET with Neil Gershenfeld.

In addition to attending these sessions, students must actively complete all assignments and deliverables for their selected modules.

Deliverables⇝

Students are required to:

  • Document all their projects and module deliverables on their personal websites.
  • Follow the same documentation standards as the Fab Academy program.
  • Produce working prototypes and project demonstrations for each module.
  • For Machine Design, students must deliver a more complex group project.

Grading Method⇝

Grading criteria will be defined by faculty during the module.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

3 ECTS

Course Resources⇝

Faculty⇝

Santiago Fuentemilla Garriga

Santiago Fuentemilla Garriga

Future Learning Lead

Santiago Fuentemilla Garriga , is Master degree in Architecture and postgraduate in digital fabrication and rapid prototyping (Fabacademy). He accumulates more than 15 years of experience in studios (OPR, FHAUS, OPERA, Brullet de Luna associats), designing multidisciplinary projects at an international level. Since 2013 he is part of the IAAC - Fab Lab BCN team, as coordinator and leader of Future Learning Unit (FLU), an area of research, design and implementation of innovative educational models that promote growth, learning and creativity to generate opportunities to achieve the goals and challenges of uncertain futures. FLU participates in private and EU funded research projects such as TEC-LA, Shemakes, Ruractive, DOIT, Phablabs 4.0, Creative Minds, among others. He is director of the global academic programs Fab Academy and Fabricademy, in the Barcelona node, executive board of Fab Learning Academy, and faculty of the Master in Design for Emergent Futures (MDEF) and The Master in Design for Distributed Innovation (MDDI).

Daniel Mateos

Daniel Mateos

Digital Fabrication Expert

Multidisciplinary maker and educator with skills in 3D design, 3D printing, metalworking, electronics, programming, biology, and extensive education experience. I have developed careers in the fields of biology, data science, and education. I am currently in transition to employment that uses my skills in digital fabrication, metalworking and electronics. I’m an extremely capable self-learner, very sociable and would love to integrate in a team with shared values to have an impact in the world, preferably at local scale.

Adai Surinach

Adai Surinach

Digital Fabrication Expert

Adai graduated with a superior degree in engraving and stamping techniques at Llotja School of Art and Design in Barcelona. After graduation, he became interested in 3D printing, taking him to get involved in Fab Labs until becoming an intern at Fab Lab Barcelona. Shortly after, Adai undertook Fab Academy in 2022 and started working at the lab in different projects like Smart Citizen and as an instructor in academic programs.