Object Design & Digital Fabrication
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Design the unexpected at the intersection of art and fabrication.
| Type | Credits | Duration | Format | School and Department |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fine Arts – Studio Art (Major) | 120 | 4 years, Full-time | In-person, studio | School of Craft and Emerging Media (SCEM) |
| Minor/ Secondary Concentration, BFA or BDes | 15 | 2 years (completed alongside primary degree |
Turn your ideas into reality—whether that means furniture, lighting, wearable tech, functional art, interactive installations or sustainable products. In Object Design & Digital Fabrication at AUArts, you’ll work at the intersection of imagination and innovation, transforming raw materials and digital files into objects that shape daily life, spark curiosity and inspire change.
Bring your creative vision to life in a studio where traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. This program goes beyond mastering digital fabrication techniques, emphasizing collaboration, experimentation and innovation to design meaningful, impactful objects.
Program Overview
Object Design & Digital Fabrication at AUArts is about pushing creative boundaries in three dimensions. Combine hands-on making with advanced digital design, working with tools that range from classic hand tools to CNC routers, 3D printers and laser cutters. Develop your ideas through every step of the process: sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping and building finished works for real clients, public exhibitions or your own artistic practice.
You’ll master industry-standard CAD software, experiment with wood, metal, plastics and textiles, and explore how technology is reshaping what objects can be—across art, design and society. Every project is an opportunity to collaborate, innovate and think critically about the impact of the things we make.
Program Highlights
- Rapid Prototyping Playground: Start designing with 3D modeling, then bring your ideas to life using cutting-edge CNC machines, 3D printers and laser cutters.
- CAD Mastery: Dive deep into industry-standard Computer-Aided Design software and learn to create complex, production-ready digital models.
- Digital Craft Fusion: Experiment with projects that merge digital design precision with hands-on, tactile craft—creating one-of-a-kind objects that bridge art and technology.
- Emergent Tech Exploration: Tackle complex topics like algorithmic object design, AI-powered creation, and augmented reality, discovering how new tech is transforming the future of design.
- Collaborative Culture: Work on team-based projects that push creative boundaries and encourage interdisciplinary partnerships.
- Showcase Your Work: Build a project portfolio by taking part in studio critiques, campus exhibitions and digital showcases.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Object Design & Digital Fabrication concentration will:
- Master advanced digital fabrication tools, machinery and 3D modeling software.
- Design and produce objects that combine creativity, function and innovation.
- Collaborate on interdisciplinary teams to bring ideas from concept to prototype.
- Understand and apply theories and histories of object design.
- Develop sustainable practices within contemporary design contexts.
Faculty
OBDF faculty and technicians bring expertise in craft, digital tools and contemporary design, mentoring students as they transform ideas into finished works with guidance in both concept and technique.
Faculty
Studio Technicians
Alumni
Object Design & Digital Fabrication alumni launch careers that span art, design and industry. Exhibiting in galleries, collaborating with design studios, driving innovation in digital fabrication and creating independent practices.
Studio Facilities
The Object Design + Fabrication studio facilities support a variety of processes in the fields of Digital Fabrication + 3D Modelling.
The OBDF Computer Lab is equipped with powerful PCs + 4K monitors, capable of handling GPU intensive 3D graphics processes like 3D modelling, rendering, scanning + XR.
The 'Thing Tank' is AUarts' Digital Fabrication Studio. Thing Tank provides students access to:
FDM 3D Printers
Large Format CoreXY FDM 3D Printer w/ 5x extruders for multi-material printing
8K + 12K MSLA resin 3D Printers
50W Laser Cutter w/ 12" x 24" cut area (304mm x 609mm)
80W Laser Cutter w/ 24" x 36" cut area (609mm x 914mm)
Handheld 3D Scanner
Desktop CNC
Computer Workstations
Computers in both the Thing Tank and PC Lab are setup with the same suite of software, including:
Rhino 3D (NURBS Modelling Software)
Blender (Mesh Modelling Software)
Keyshot (3D Rendering Software)
Adobe Creative Suite
PrusaSlicer + AnyCubic Photon Workshop (3D printing Software)
Object Design + Fabrication also operates additional digital fabrication equipment outside of the primary OBDF facilities:
Wazer Desktop Waterjet Cutter (Metal Shop)
4' x 8' CNC Milling Machine (Wood Shop)
Career Paths
Graduates from OBDF at AUArts become successful product designers, exhibition specialists, UX designers, entrepreneurs and leaders in art and design innovation.
Potential career opportunities include:
- Industrial Designer
- Product Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Interaction Designer
- Digital Fabrication Specialist
- Exhibition Designer
- Design Researcher
- Entrepreneur
Culture & Community
Object Design & Digital Fabrication is a community of builders, experimenters, and innovators who bring ideas to life through collaboration, curiosity, and craft.
Beyond the classroom
- Work-Integrated Learning: Opportunities for internships and job placements with local studios, festivals or non-profits.
- Community & Events: Join student-run clubs, discord chats or attend on-campus events, visiting artist lectures and workshops.
- Awards & Scholarships: Receive financial support through scholarships, awards, paid call-for-submissions and funding for creative projects.
- Academic Resources: One-on-one faculty mentorship and access to technical support. Plus, full access to AUArts' Writing Centre, Luke Lindoe Library and Learning Commons.
About the Object Design & Digital Fabrication Concentration
The Object Design & Digital Fabrication (OBDF) concentration goes beyond delivering proficiencies in digital fabrication technologies. You’ll learn to merge traditional craft with cutting-edge tools like CNC routers, 3D printers, and laser cutters—developing ideas from sketch to prototype to finished object.
In addition to core OBDF courses, electives from across AUArts deepen your understanding of object design and fabrication history, theory and context, while building literacy in invention and fabrication methodologies. Through studio practice, collaboration and critical inquiry, you’ll gain the skills and perspective to create objects that shape culture, industry and society.
