MakerSpace—SF State library’s digital media studio—opened seven years ago and has become a hub for students to access 3D printers. While the resource would have been a rare commodity years ago, engineering and design students often own their own printers now.
The space reopened this semester, after closing over two years ago during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the Rapid Prototyping Lab, a student-run 3D printing lab that facilitates engineering students, aims to relaunch this year as well.
Professor Silvan Linn runs the Industrial Design program on campus and teaches prototyping, manufacturing and other design principle classes in the School of Design.
Linn began using a 3D printer in college when they were more expensive and costed around $50,000.
According to Linn, costly 3D printers can now produce multiple materials simultaneously and can use…
