Creative Technology Residency

Overview & Purpose

At MakerLabs we believe that sharing space, tools, and skills are fundamental aspects of maker culture. The mission of the Creative Technology Residency is to build an electronics-focused community by making technology together. It achieves this mission by encouraging collaboration between participants. The creative technology residency also offers tool training, one-on-one mentorship,  space and tools for making,  and project help and feedback.

Residents that complete this program will gain a solid foundation in electronics prototyping, soldering, CAD modeling, digital fabrication with 3D printing, and artistic expression through physical computing.

Included in residency

Duration: 2 Months

Cost of Residency:

$895 + GST plus any additional materials / consumables the residents may use. 

Residency Format

This residency is subsidized and includes free classes, early access to the building, and support. In return we require the following from our residents:

Month 1:
 Attend all classes on the first four Wednesday evenings of the first month, engage in weekly mini-projects, attend Sunday afternoon support sessions, commence independent project work, and maintain a digital presence through an introductory blog post and weekly Instagram posts.

Month 2:
 Step into a mentor's shoes by supporting the new cohort of residents, continue to develop personal projects, and keep the digital narrative going through mid-residency and end-of-residency blog posts, alongside weekly Instagram updates.

Residency commitment
This residency is subsidized and includes early access to the building, workspace, and support.  In return we require the following from our residents:

●  Residents must be at MakerLabs a minimum of 15 hours a week to be committed to the program. This includes class time, time spent meeting with mentors / mentees, and time spent working on projects.

●  Residents must attend all scheduled classes on Wednesday Evenings from 6pm to 9pm during the first month. Residents may also attend the weekly support sessions through the residency, on Sunday afternoons. All other hours are flexible but we encourage working in groups and meeting up with your mentor / mentee on a weekly basis.

●  Residents must document their experiences and work completed during the residency. This includes submitting posts for our Instagram account at least once a week.  We also require three posts on our blog over the duration of the residency (one introductory post, one mid-way through post, and one post upon completion of the program).

Accommodation and travel
 This must be arranged by the resident. 

Project legacy

All intellectual property will remain in possession of the resident(s).

Anything built here is the property of the resident.

Any documentation can be shared by MakerLabs through our website/social media etc.

For Residents

Expectations

Throughout the residency you are expected to document your progress and provide MakerLabs with content to post on their social media. We want one Instagram post per week (at least), and you are encouraged to provide more content if you want to. You can cross post to your own social media channels as well. We require three blog posts.  One Introductory post, one after your first month, and one at the end of the residency.

You must be able to attend all  classes in the first month and must be available to mentor for the second month.

Inter/Intra Cohort Communication

Join the MakerLabs Member Slack to communicate with your cohort. Please communicate regularly on Slack, so we can see that you are actively participating in the program. 

Schedule

Pre-Residency

Week 1

Soldering & Electronics 101 Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Breadboards from the Soldering & Electronics class, any works in progress or finished electronics projects.

Resources: Week 1 Presentation

Week 2

Arduino and electronics 101
Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Works in progress

Resources: Week 2 Presentation

Creative Tech Code for Arduino 101

Week 3

Arduino and electronics 102
Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Any works in progress or finished projects.

Resources: Week 3 Presentation

Creative Tech Code for Arduino 102

Week 4

Fusion 360 and 3D printing 101

Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: 3D printed objects, works in progress

Resources: Week 4 Presentation

Week 5

Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Post about your specialization/favourite class or tool. Pictures using that tool.

Week 6

Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Reflect on the progress of your goals, or a project you are working on

Week 7

Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Any other works in progress or completed projects that you done over the residency.

Week 8

Homework:

Suggested Instagram Post: Completed projects

Common Instagram Hashtags

#creativetech #creativetechnology #prototyping #arduino #advancedarduino #immersivelearning #collaboration #creativecode #electronics #prototyping #technologyart #vancouverresidency #makerlabs #makerlabsvancouver #vancouvermakers #vancouvermaker #futuretechnology #vancouvermakerspace #makersgonnamake #codersgonnacode #learnsomethingnew #vancouverresidency 

Additional Resources

Recommended Tools

● Budget soldering kit: Amazing value for money, although it must be emphasized this is a budget kit and the quality isn’t excellent. Recommended for those trying out electronics without wanting a significant initial investment.

● Hakko Soldering Station: Expensive, but will last a lifetime. Fast heating with temperature control.

● Irwin Wire Strippers: Very high quality wire strippers

● Klein Wire Strippers: Another amazing option for wire strippers

● Fine wire snips: Great for getting flush cuts. Only recommended on thin metals like resistor legs and thin wires

● Regular wire snips: Good for cutting thicker cables and larger component legs

● Budget Multimeter: Gets the job done, with some limited features.

● Best Value Multimeter: Many high-end features, reasonable price, great build quality.

● High-End multimeter: Very precise, durable, excellent build quality

● Desoldering pump & copper wick: Tools for cleaning up excess solder or fixing mistakes

● Helping hands: Useful for holding circuit boards while soldering. Can be frustrating to adjust arm positions.

● Alternative helping hands: Easier to work with than “traditional” helping hands

● Magnifying glass lamp: Optional tool, that makes soldering very small components easier.

● Variable power supply: Not a recommended initial purchase (can use 9V batteries & small 5V chargers initially), but a good upgrade when pursuing electronics further.

Components and Hardware

Beginner Friendly Kits

Textbooks

Online Resources

Too many to list! But off the top of my head, Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, https://www.programmingelectronics.com/, SparkFun and Adafruit tutorials, Instructables.com, numerous YouTube channels (explore to find the niche topics you are interested in), Hackaday.com, allaboutcircuits.com, https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/

Local Suppliers

North American Suppliers

International Suppliers

PCB Manufacturers

Online Learning Resources