How to Make (Almost) Anything

Master of Design Engineering

The class “How To Make (almost) Anything” (also “How To Make” or just “Make”) is sort of legendary. Gershenfeld has taught the class every year since 2004 while directing the Media Lab’s Center for Bits and Atoms, and the class sparked an entire international “Fab lab” movement. Each week we cover a different fabrication technique on our quest to make (almost) anything: it’s a semester-long crash course on making for those who have never made before.


https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/how-to-make-almost-anything/


Stakeholders

Harvard University

Skills

Product Design Electrical Engineering Mechanical Enginieering

Domain

Technology

Date

June 2024

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Dashboard Sidebar Close Up
Dashboard Sidebar Close Up

Overview

This is an overview of the project & text 0…

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Full Dashboard
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Step 1: Learn

Research and Discovery

  • User research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, user testing)

  • Competitive analysis

  • Market trends and insights

  • Key findings and user pain points

Extracted currency modules
Extracted currency modules
Extracted currency modules

Step 2: Design

Ideation and Conceptualization

  • Brainstorming techniques used

  • Initial sketches and wireframes

  • Design thinking workshops or exercises

  • Early prototypes or concept designs

Design Development

  • User flow and information architecture

  • Visual design evolution

  • Iterative prototyping process

  • User testing and feedback incorporation

  • Design system or style guide creation


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Full Dashboard with Sidebar
Full Dashboard with Sidebar

Step 3: Refine

  • Final design iterations

  • Collaboration with developers and stakeholders

  • Design handoff process

  • Quality assurance and bug fixing

Step 4: Implement

  • Final product showcase (screenshots, mockups, or prototypes)

  • Key features and functionalities

  • User feedback and testimonials

  • Metrics and KPIs demonstrating success

  • Business impact and ROI

  • Lessons learned and future improvements


Describe your initial thoughts or feelings about the experience.

[Analysis]: Delve deeper into why you reacted this way. What aspects of the experience triggered these thoughts or emotions?

[Insight or Learning]: Explain what you learned from this experience or how it changed your perspective.[Application]: Discuss how you might apply this new understanding in the future or how it relates to your broader life experiences.

[Concluding Thought]: End with a final reflection that ties back to your initial reaction, showing how your thinking has evolved.