Ideas Lab: Smart Makerspace
Opportunity
The growing needs of Design Engineering and benefits of co-location of design and make activities at Imperial College highlight the need for a new hub for digital manufacturing. How can we create a new student-led makerspace in the heart of South Kensington?
Role & Skills Used
- UX/UI & Space Design
- IoT & Systems Engineering
- Agile Product Management
- Business Development
Problem
New digital manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, enable rapid-prototyping of physical ideas earlier in the design process. To facilitate peer-to-peer learning and to create a culture of making and entrepreneurship makerspaces are increasingly student led. To manage the volume of production requires significant effort which is a barrier to volunteer led activities. Time and financial savings can be made through the remote monitoring and control of equipment using the internet of things to enable ideas to be made with as little friction as possible.
Development
Discovery & Pitching/Fundraising
Visited Makerspaces to learn best practice. Raised funds internally and from sponsors.
Specifications & Process Mapping
Developed high level specifications and processes for the management of the equipment
System Design/Architecture
Defined the core systems architecture and technology stack for IoT management
Space Design & Procurement
Procured equipment & services for the space and created specifications/BIM for renovations
UX/UI Definition & Development
Used Optimal Sort to classify information architecture. Developed high-fidelity prototypes in Adobe XD for handover to developers via Sketch
Agile Delivery Management
Led a team of full-stack software engineers in a Scrumban delivery process. Implemented the creative and practical aspects of the makerspace
Outcome
The Ideas Lab is the Design Engineering Society’s student-run makerspace. The lab is a fun, creative and dynamic hub that brings together its diverse community of members from across Imperial to learn, make and share their ideas. Over £250k was raised and invested to realise the space. The facility is operated via a smart IoT Management System which was presented at the 2020 Unimaker Conference in Sheffield.
IoT Makerspace Management System
Start 3D Prints
Pay for prints and materials
Manage Makerspace Equipment
