3D Innovation Lab empowers students to create

Located in Green Hall, the 3D Innovation Lab is a place where ideas can come to life. Students are encouraged to utilize not only the various machines at their disposal, but also their own ideas to build a variety of 3D creations.

“Studio art majors and anybody who goes through the training (can use the equipment),” Todd Smith, professor and chair of the Department of Studio & Digital Arts (SADA) and head of the 3D Innovation Lab, said.

The 3D Innovation Lab has been available for around 10 years. It was originally located in DeMoss Hall with other SADA labs, like the sculpture, ceramics and graphic design labs. It was combined with the sculpture lab for a while in 2015 because of the 3D elements to both, but the lab eventually moved to Green Hall as the SADA program expanded.

Now with its own space, the 3D Innovation Lab has a variety of machines available to students including a Glowforge, a Cricut, a virtual reality system, a 3D printer, a 3D scanner, a projector and augmented reality equipment. 

The Glowforge is a laser printer that requires a training workshop offered every semester to learn to operate it. The Cricut is a precise cutting machine that works with numerous materials such as cardstock, vinyl and iron-on transfers. The 3D scanner allows students to scan a variety of things, including people or handmade sculptures; and then, through augmented reality, students can work with and refine the 3D models they scanned.

“We utilize a real-world approach to creativity,” Smith said. “Generally referred to as a creative pipeline, students have the opportunity to take their skillsets and build toward really high-end skillsets.”

Ariana Murphy, a student worker in SADA, has been practicing the pipeline approach. Beginning with sketching and sculpting out her character, she then used the 3D scanner for further development. Accompanied by a story arc based in C.S. Lewis’ works, Murphy’s character exemplifies the pipeline approach that many SADA students utilize.

“Using what I learned from the clay sculpture, (I’m) able to build it out here,” Murphy said.

The 3D Innovation Lab also has other applications in addition to character design, though that is a prominent feature. One of the goals of the lab is to have students utilize the tool in other fields like health and accessibility.

A graduate of the SADA program used 3D printing to make an easier way for visually impaired children to learn about things such as household items. They used the printer to print items like beds or dressers and had Braille lettering printed on the item to make it easier for a child to learn Braille while being able to feel the item.

“(The 3D lab is) used in a lot of ways, and it’s a rapidly evolving kind of technology,” Smith said.

The 3D Innovation Lab also serves as a unique way to glorify God.

“If God is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, why can’t God take a concept out of tomorrow and put that in our mind so that we can help create tomorrow for his glory?” Smith said.

The lab is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-4:30 p.m., but students can access it outside those hours by asking someone in SADA to unlock the door.

Santos is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion