Bringing Ideas to Reality
Dive into the exciting world where digital design meets physical reality. This hands-on course provides a comprehensive introduction to both 3D modeling and 3D printing. Whether you want to be an artist, an engineer, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about this transformative technology, you will learn the essential skills to conceptualize, design, and produce your own tangible objects.
Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises, students will start with simple software and work towards industry-standard software for creating 3D models. Students will then transition from the virtual to the physical realm, learning the principles of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing. You will learn how to prepare files for the 3D printing process, as well as printer operation, material selection, slicing software, troubleshooting common issues, and post-processing techniques to refine final prints.
By the end of the course, you will be proficient in turning a mere idea into a functional prototype or a work of art, giving you the power to innovate and create at high speed. Add the skill and knowledge of Digital Fabrication to your tool belt by taking this course.
Sessions Offered
Storrs Session 2:
July 5, 2026 – July 11, 2026
Course Fees
Format
Non-Credit
This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:
- Understand the principles of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing
- Design and program files for 3D printing
- Use problem solving skills to troubleshoot common issues that come up in creating 3D models
- Refine post-production techniques to ensure models are ready for presentation.
- Understand the creative design process from idea, to prototype, to production.
Meet the Professor
Paul Spirito, MFA
UConn Krenicki Arts & Engineering Institute
Paul began his career as an industrial designer working in the toy industry. Working for a consulting firm, he was involved in all aspects of toy product development, brainstorming new ideas, model making, prototype development, design, and some manufacturing. As he approached 10 years in the toy industry, Paul felt the need for new challenges.
In 2004 Paul entered graduate school at the University of Connecticut in the Puppetry Program. Three years later, as he was finishing his MFA the growing program at UConn hired him as the Puppetry Technical Supervisor. Paul guided students through the process of designing, creating, and performing puppets for their projects and for Connecticut Repertory Theater.
In 2023 Paul joined the Krenicki Arts and Engineering Institute as Administrator. The Krenicki Institute is an innovative and interdisciplinary partnership between the School of Engineering and School of Fine Arts. The Institute offers a space for collaboration between the two as well as offering groundbreaking programs in entertainment engineering and industrial design.
