Digital Fabrication and Making

The Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement prepares students with the knowledge and skills to join the workforce as problem solvers, innovators, and inventors who are able to think logically and communicate effectively. Students gain job skills in step-by-step processes, production, design thinking, collaboration, perseverance, marketing, and brand development.

Digital fabrication begins with design including drawing and 3D modeling. Students learn to use software and hardware to bring ideas to life. The program uses a variety of hands-on techniques as well as industry software such as computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to create a virtual object and rapidly prototype it. With digital fabrication knowledge, students will be able to create, modify, and adapt through the rapid prototyping and iterative design process. Students will utilize a variety of equipment and tools in the Cabrillo College Makerspace and FabLab including 3D printing and scanning, laser cutting and engraving, digital knife, water jet cutting, and other Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment.

Employment opportunities are expanding rapidly and vary by industry. The skills developed in the certificate could lead students into the innovative fields of construction, engineering, entrepreneurship, design, dentistry, architecture, aerospace, art, set design, and more. Upon completion, students will be well prepared to work in and staff local Makerspace workshops in college or K-12 institutions.

The program expects 20 students to enroll per semester and 20 students per year to complete the Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement with an opportunity for annual growth. 

The Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement prepares students with the knowledge and skills to join the workforce of problem solvers, innovators, and inventors who are able to think logically and communicate effectively. A key to developing these skills is strengthening science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) competencies in every student. STEAM literacy refers to a student’s ability to apply their understanding of how the world works within and across five primary ways of thinking. The Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement fulfills the needs of students, entrepreneurs, and employers of the ever changing job market, and provides them with the versatile skill sets needed to adapt and persevere.

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement in Career Education.  The digital fabrication program is designed to train and educate students to design, rapid prototype, and produce art and creative solutions using digital fabrication tools. The need for maker skills has been advocated for by local organizations and supported by current, regional labor market research (Top Code 1099.00).  The digital fabrication and making program is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission, master plan, and statewide community college work in Guided Pathways.  Approval of this program will benefit regional employers, fulfill job growth and innovation in the local community, augment college enrollment, and support non-traditional and underserved minority students in a viable career and academic path. This program would give our students the knowledge and skills they need to transition to a four-year institution or excel in the workforce. The goal is for certificate completers to be gainfully employed by the 4th fiscal quarter or continue with an associates degree. Working with employers to identify earning potential is promising, with potential for a starting salary of $76,000-$238,000/year in jobs ranging from jewelers/precious stone and metal workers, to Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) tool programmers, to craft artists. It is critical to give community college students educational and professional experience that is necessary to be successful in starting their career in innovation or to advance to other certificates and associate’s degrees.

There are four required courses, three in the art department and one in the engineering department for a total of 12 units. There are four units of elective units required in either creative careers (various departments), digital media, and/or engineering. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ART5	Three-dimensional Design	3.00	S1
ART95A	Survey of Digital Fabrication for Studio Arts	3.00	S1
ART95B	Beginning Digital Fabrication for Studio Arts	3.00	S2
ENGR3	How Things Work	3.00	S1
Electives	various	4.00	S2

The Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement fulfills the needs of students, entrepreneurs, and employers in the ever changing job market, providing them with the versatile skill sets needed to adapt and persevere. The Digital Fabrication and Art Making Certificate of Achievement prepares students for continuing onward to an associate degree and transfer degree. This is an interdisciplinary effort to address the growing job market demand. The digital fabrication program shares learning goals with the art photography, art history, digital media, engineering, engineering technology, and mathematics departments. These goals include principles of art and design, visual communication, visual literacy, and the evolution of visual art processes with technological and cultural developments. There is ongoing collaboration between these departments in curriculum development, including degrees and certificates. 

There are no Community College programs in the SC-Monterey subregion offering awards in Top Code 1099.00 - Other Fine and Applied Arts.