The Foundations of Design in Digital Fabrication

Essential Principles and Practices for Effective Design

  • Introduction
    • Overview of the importance of design in digital fabrication
    • How good design enhances the fabrication process
  • Basic Design Principles
    • Balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, and unity
    • How these principles apply to digital fabrication
  • Tools and Software for Design
    • Introduction to popular design software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.)
    • Key features and benefits of each tool
  • Design Process and Workflow
    • Steps from concept to final design
    • Iterative design and prototyping
  • Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
    • Principles of designing for ease of manufacturing
    • Tips for optimizing designs for CNC milling, 3D printing, and other fabrication methods
  • Case Studies of Effective Design
    • Examples of well-designed projects
    • Analysis of what makes these designs successful
  • Conclusion
    • Encouragement to focus on strong design principles
    • Resources for further learning