This page contains an archive of the past five years of Directed Research Groups led by Professor Peek. View her currently offered DRGs »
- Memes of Production
- Memes of Production
- Memes of Production
- Developing Accessible Workflows for Making Tactile Graphics DRG
- Memes of Production
- Creative Automation
- Creative Automation
- Memes of Production
- Fabricatable machines: rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines
Spring 2025
Computer-Numerically Controlled tools have been around for more than half a century, but have only recently been taken up by users not considered professional technicians. CAD tools as a commodity and the popularization of 3D printers in particular have led to new groups of users participating in digital fabrication. In this reading group, we will explore contemporary practices of digital fabrication, the prototype-production spectrum, end-user fabrication tools, distributed production, open source hardware, and related topics. In our analysis we will draw from Science and Technology Studies methodology to delineate between the promises and practices described in the readings.
While this reading group is mainly focused on fabrication research, we will also include related readings from computer-supported cooperative work, online communities, computer graphics, and media studies. We might also sometimes read field bus specifications or other technical documentation.
After the first week, students will be expected to lead discussions on the readings. We will produce annotated bibliographies to help contextualize fabrication research and ground our own design and engineering practices. Students who are not prepared to complete the readings, lead discussions, and produce their own bibliographies should not apply. The schedule will have one hour of discussion plus two hours of assigned reading a week.
Autumn 2023
Computer-Numerically Controlled tools have been around for more than half a century, but have only recently been taken up by users not considered professional technicians. CAD tools as a commodity and the popularization of 3D printers in particular have led to new groups of users participating in digital fabrication. In this reading group, we will explore contemporary practices of digital fabrication, the prototype-production spectrum, end-user fabrication tools, distributed production, open source hardware, and related topics. In our analysis we will draw from Science and Technology Studies methodology to delineate between the promises and practices described in the readings.
While this reading group is mainly focused on fabrication research, we will also include related readings from computer-supported cooperative work, online communities, computer graphics, and media studies. We might also sometimes read field bus specifications or other technical documentation.
After the first week, students will be expected to lead discussions on the readings. We will produce annotated bibliographies to help contextualize fabrication research and ground our own design and engineering practices. Students who are not prepared to complete the readings, lead discussions, and produce their own bibliographies should not apply. The schedule will have one hour of discussion plus two hours of assigned reading a week.
Spring 2023
Computer-Numerically Controlled tools have been around for more than half a century, but have only recently been taken up by users not considered professional technicians. CAD tools as a commodity and the popularization of 3D printers in particular have led to new groups of users participating in digital fabrication. In this reading group, we will explore contemporary practices of digital fabrication, the prototype-production spectrum, end-user fabrication tools, distributed production, open source hardware, and related topics. In our analysis we will draw from Science and Technology Studies methodology to delineate between the promises and practices described in the readings.
While this reading group is mainly focused on fabrication research, we will also include related readings from computer-supported cooperative work, online communities, computer graphics, and media studies. We might also sometimes read field bus specifications or other technical documentation.
After the first week, students will be expected to lead discussions on the readings. We will produce annotated bibliographies to help contextualize fabrication research and ground our own design and engineering practices. Students who are not prepared to complete the readings, lead discussions, and produce their own bibliographies should not apply. The schedule will have one hour of discussion plus two hours of assigned reading a week.
Spring 2023
Developing Accessible Workflows for Making Tactile Graphics DRG
Led by Drs. Nadya Peek, Emily Whiting, Abigale Stangl, and Sarah Coppola
Tactile graphics are artifacts that can communicate information through touch and may include raised lines, textures, and shapes. They are currently fabricated with approaches including vacuum-forming thermoplastics, embossing paper with dot patterns, and heat-printing papers with special swell-coatings. In this DRG, we aim to broaden access to tactile graphics by developing a low-cost and accessible workflow for tactile fabrication.
We are looking for DRG participants who have experience in one or more areas of:
- rapid prototyping
- blind and low-vision communities
- accessible user interface development
- AI-driven design tools and techniques
But also encourage applicants who are excited to learn. This DRG is 1-quarter and 2-credits, so we are looking for a ~6hr/wk commitment for spring quarter. To apply, please fill out this Google form with questions about your background and experience.
We expect to develop an accessible software workflow, custom fabrication hardware, and detailed documentation by the end of spring quarter.
Winter 2022
Computer-Numerically Controlled tools have been around for more than half a century, but have only recently been taken up by users not considered professional technicians. CAD tools as a commodity and the popularization of 3D printers in particular have led to new groups of users participating in digital fabrication. In this reading group, we will explore contemporary practices of digital fabrication, the prototype-production spectrum, end-user fabrication tools, distributed production, open source hardware, and related topics. In our analysis we will draw from Science and Technology Studies methodology to delineate between the promises and practices described in the readings.
While this reading group is mainly focused on fabrication research, we will also include related readings from computer-supported cooperative work, online communities, computer graphics, and media studies. We might also sometimes read field bus specifications or other technical documentation.
After the first week, students will be expected to lead discussions on the readings. We will produce annotated bibliographies to help contextualize fabrication research and ground our own design and engineering practices. Students who are not prepared to complete the readings, lead discussions, and produce their own bibliographies should not apply. The schedule will have one hour of discussion plus two hours of assigned reading a week. We meet Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm. To apply send Prof Nadya (nadya@uw.edu) your CV and an example of a research article you'd be interested in reading in the context of the DRG.
Winter 2022
Computer-controlled machines such as CNC mills have been in use for the better part of a century! However, barriers remain to using them in flexible and diverse ways. In this DRG, we examine workflows for automation. We will develop tools and systems that allow for more creative agency with computer controlled systems. We will examine concepts such as quality control in distributed production, high-level input languages, and interactive control. We will build machines, toolheads, programming environments, and interaction models.
This DRG requires experience running digital fabrication equipment, experience with motor control and G-code, experience with CAD software such as Rhino/Grasshopper or Onshape, and basic Python or bash scripting. This DRG is no longer accepting applications.
Spring 2021
Computer-controlled machines such as CNC mills have been in use for the better part of a century! However, barriers remain to using them in flexible and diverse ways. In this DRG, we examine workflows for automation. We will develop tools and systems that allow for more creative agency with computer controlled systems. We will examine concepts such as quality control in distributed production, high-level input languages, and interactive control. We will build machines, toolheads, programming environments, and interaction models.
This DRG requires experience running digital fabrication equipment, experience with motor control and G-code, experience with CAD software such as Rhino/Grasshopper or Onshape, and basic Python or bash scripting.
Winter 2021
Computer-Numerically Controlled tools have been around for more than half a century, but have only recently been taken up by users not considered professional technicians. CAD tools as a commodity and the popularization of 3D printers in particular have led to new groups of users participating in digital fabrication. In this reading group, we will explore contemporary practices of digital fabrication, the prototype-production spectrum, end-user fabrication tools, distributed production, open source hardware, and related topics. In our analysis we will draw from Science and Technology Studies methodology to delineate between the promises and practices described in the readings.
While this reading group is mainly focused on fabrication research, we will also include related readings from computer-supported cooperative work, online communities, computer graphics, and media studies. We might also sometimes read field bus specifications or other technical documentation.
After the first week, students will be expected to lead discussions on the readings. We will produce annotated bibliographies to help contextualize fabrication research and ground our own design and engineering practices. Students who are not prepared to complete the readings, lead discussions, and produce their own bibliographies should not apply. The schedule will have one hour of discussion plus two hours of assigned reading a week.
Autumn 2021
Fabricatable machines: rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines
This fall and winter we will be exploring machine making. Digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers or desktop mills are becoming more accessible. Can we use these digital fabrication tools to make our own custom versions? We will be building machines using open-source repositories such as the cardboard machine kit or fabricatable machines to rapidly prototype digital fabrication machines using digital fabrication machines.
Brief schedule
We will spend time on parametric design in Grasshopper and Fusion, machine building methods with laser cutters and CNC mills, machine control using GRBL and PyGestalt, and interface design.
Required experience
This DRG requires experience running digital fabrication equipment including CNC mills and laser cutters, experience with motor control and G-code, experience with CAD software such as Rhino, Solidworks or Fusion, and basic Python or bash scripting. Ideally students are already safety trained for the CoMotion maker space including Shopbot training.