Bringing Ideas to Reality
Turn your ideas into functional inventions. This hands-on course is designed for aspiring inventors, product engineers, and entrepreneurs who want to master the complete product development lifecycle. If you see your future as having ideas for new devices, wearable tech, or revolutionary consumer products, this course will introduce to you the engineering and design skills needed to design, prototype, and build it from scratch.
You will step into the role of a product developer, starting with a blank canvas and learning how to translate user needs into technical drawings, learning about CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, you will design and engineer your invention. You will then bridge the gap between concept and reality by learning the mechanics of material selection, iterate, and perfect your designs through rapid prototyping.
By the end of this course, you won't just have a digital model. You will hold a precision, functional prototype of your own invention, giving you the power to innovate.
Sessions Offered
Storrs Session 4:
July 18, 2027- July 24, 2027
Course Fees
Format
Residential
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.
Related Careers
- Product Designer
- Concept Developer
- Retail and Branding Designer
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.
