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In the spring of 2012 I was renting shop space from Make-SHift ATX, a design and prototyping space in North Austin. When I first started my studies in design I didn't really know where to start but I do know that I learn best in a hands on enviroment. Make-SHift provided me the space and oppertunity to work out a number of ideas and projects while helping me gain a beter understanding of process.
http://www.makeshiftatx.com/
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_GDl2Qv39ClihfwxRwsWT8H4Kc.jpg)
When I started at Make-SHift the first material I worked with was plywood. This made sense to me coming from an engineering background as I see plywood as more of an engineered material. Pictured here is the first piece I completed, a kitchen table.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_jRKDIbKgIj5c8AgCGQukLuoxQ.jpg)
Completed kitchen table, finished and sealed.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_Nh8nGzuTRJo66LEealK7z6ngS.jpg)
Following the completion of my kitchen table I worked on a series of stools and benches. The table I designed ended up using a large amount of glue and nails, and ended up being quite hard to move. In response to this I designed these stools to fit together using only compression, no glue or fasteners. They also dissemble for easy transport.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_5AD94f6jZv4O0zYhnOOLvgPhf.jpg)
In the summer of 2012, while I was working for Philips I used my vacation time to take part in the Howest Industrial Design Center's Creative Prototyping Summer School in Kortrijk, Belgium.
http://www.howest.be/summerschool2012/
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_t8MR2RXMK8cObRlNVrpT0pHjm.jpg)
An intensive week long program focused on a variety of prototyping and manufacturing techniques. We worked with a number of methods including foam modeling (pictured), clay modeling, wood turning, welding, and thermoforming.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_G_2rS9hl7UQgvTb3u82NcNEtx.jpg)
The program also looked at newer digital techniques including rapid prototyping, laser cutting, and arduino electronics (pictured). Throughout the program we were encouraged to work with a variety of new materials and to push our boundaries in a collaborative environment.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/475263_q6ZOSbtE_LP45QrFmeUzUAYig.jpg)
While I learned a great deal from the program's curriculum, What I really gained from traveling to Belgium was an opportunity to work with a wide range makers and creatives, some of whom will be life long friends and hopefully in the future co-creators.
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