Prototype projects using the power of digital fabrication
In just five months, learn how to use tools and machines to create your dream projects locally
Fab Academy is an intensive five-month program that teaches students to envision, design and prototype projects using digital fabrication tools and machines. It is a multi-disciplinary learning experience that empowers students to learn-by-doing and guides them to become active participants in sustainable cities and communities.
The many hours of hands-on experience with digital fabrication tools materialize themselves into the creation of new individual projects each week. In addition to their execution, each student is also responsible for their documentation, resulting in a personal portfolio of technical accomplishments.
The Power of a Distributed Education Model
In today’s educational systems, two styles of education are broadly used: in-person, on-campus learning (school and university courses), and distance learning with remote students (MOOCs-Massive Open Online Courses).
Fab Academy proposes a hybrid model which we call Globally Distributed Education. In this way, our students benefit from both types of educational systems. Knowledge in this course does not run linear, it is the result of multiple global and local interactions. During the program, students are not isolated but are gathered in local, in-person workgroups with peers, mentors, and machines. Everyone is then connected globally in an online campus with content sharing and interactive video classes. These global lectures are broadcasted every Wednesday at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST and the lectures are recorded and available to students throughout the semester.
Each Fab Lab participating in the Fab Academy program is called a Node and forms part of a global Fab Academy network. The Nodes are the hubs for local participants, supported and supervised regionally by mentors. Students view and participate in global lectures broadcasted every Wednesday at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST. The lectures are recorded and available to students throughout the semester. In addition to the lectures, in Fab Academy Barcelona there are two days each week where you will receive specific support for your projects including both personal help with projects and having access to the digital fabrication equipment.
Discover the Fab Academy Barcelona Node
Fab Academy Barcelona takes place in Fab Lab Barcelona where you will be granted access to our workshop. In addition to the in-person learning and global lectures, there are two days each week where students receive specific support for their projects including both personal help with projects and having access to the digital fabrication equipment.
The course is delivered in collaboration with students from the Master of Design for Emergent Futures which provides an opportunity to expand professional and personal experiences. Alumni of the program have used their future skills to build leading roles in the global Fab Lab network, established their own design studios, and become entrepreneurs in the innovation and social design fields.
Who is Fab Academy for?
It’s for absolutely anyone – students, professionals, and lifelong learners with backgrounds from all kinds of disciplines looking for new approaches to broaden the scope of their practice. We welcome individuals from every walk of life – with or without experience in technical training, whether it’s looking for a way to develop a specific project or pursuing the physical aspects of an idea.
Learn how to turn a variety of code formats into physical objects.
Join Fab Academy!