Inspiration

Starting a new project can be intimidating. With infinite possibilities and often many ways of doing things, how do you decide where to begin?

Inspire guides

If you’re not sure how to start making and creating, we have inspire guides that walk you through a range of fun, practical projects, step by step. There are guides designed for various skill levels and different pieces of equipment. Creative technologists are also on hand in the maker space to assist if you get stuck.

  • Abstract earrings
    Use Adobe Illustrator to design custom earrings that can be laser cut and assembled using materials from the craft station.
  • Cushion
    Learn about fabric selection, patterning, patches and zippers while making a bespoke cushion.
  • Glowing eye mask
    Light up a mask with LEDs using basic electronics and soldering.
  • Lantern
    Create a personalised laser-cut lantern by using an online box template generator and customising it in Adobe Illustrator.
  • Mars colony
    Experiment with Tinkercad by creating a 3D model of a Mars colony ready for 3D printing.
  • Maze game
    Use the CNC router to make a fun ball bearing maze game out of a block of wood.
  • Scan and repair broken parts
    3D scan a broken object and use Blender to reconstruct the damaged feature.
  • T-rex puzzle
    Create 3D objects out of 2D laser cut slices using the Slicer for Fusion programme.

Software and resources

Vector graphics

  • Adobe Illustrator
    Industry–standard vector graphics software that lets you create everything from web and mobile graphics to logos, icons, book illustrations, product packaging and billboards. View on–demand workshop
  • Inkscape
    A free vector graphic editor. It can do everything Illustrator can do and is great for creating files for laser cutting or vinyl cutting.

Computer aided design (CAD)

  • Tinkercad
    A free, easy–to–use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. It’s used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to imagine, design, and make anything! View on–demand workshop
  • Fusion360
    A professional parametric CAD software for creating 3D models. It can also render images, make animations and run simulations. View on–demand workshop
  • Blender
    Free, open source software for 3D sculpting, rigid 3D modeling, 2D/3D animation and rendering. Watch a tutorial for beginners
  • Meshmixer
    Do you need to clean up a 3D scan, do some 3D printing, or design an object that fits something else? Meshmixer can help. Think of it as a sort of 'Swiss Army knife' for 3D meshes.
  • Cura
    For turning your 3D designs into G–code files for the 3D printers.

Photo editing

  • Adobe Photoshop
    From photo editing and compositing to digital painting, animation and graphic design – you can do it all in Photoshop. Magically transform images with the power of AI. View on–demand workshop
  • Photopea
    Free online photo editing software with 99% of the same functionality as Photoshop.
  • GIMP
    A free open-source image editor that can be used for photo manipulation, original artwork creation and graphic design.

Free stock images, videos, and music

Icons

Video editing

Programming

  • Python
    A beginner-friendly programming language that is extremely popular in all kinds of industries, including science, data science, artificial intelligence, web development and more. View on–demand workshop
  • Arduino
    An open–source electronics platform based on easy–to–use hardware and software for interactive projects. The maker space has free Arduino boards and electronic components you can use in your projects.
  • Processing
    A flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts.
  • Scratch
    A drag–and–drop block–based programming language made for beginners for creating stories, games, and animations.
  • FreeCodeCamp
    A website that provides free curricula to learn languages such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Python.

Wireframing tools

  • Marvel
    An online resource where you can turn an idea into a high-fidelity digital wireframe that looks like a real app and can be navigated with taps and swipes. View on–demand workshop
  • Adobe XD
    A free downloadable application for creating and sharing designs for websites, mobile apps, voice interfaces, games and more.

Templates

  • Thingiverse
    Free ready-to-print 3D designs.
  • Shapeways
    Free ready-to-print 3D designs.
  • Box templates
    Useful for creating a box design that can be cut on the laser cutter.
  • Maker case
    Useful for creating a box design that can be cut on the laser cutter.
  • Make a box
    Useful for creating a box design that can be cut on the laser cutter.

Inspiration

Fonts

Adobe Suite Tutorials

Sewing

Crafts

Electronics

Other resources