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Designing for CNC and Laser Cutting

Designing for CNC and Laser Cutting

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn, spring
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

Unlock your creativity and enhance your design skills with our comprehensive new digital fabrication programme, focusing on CNC machining and laser cutting techniques. Designed for enthusiasts and aspiring makers, this course provides a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and design while acquiring practical skills in digital fabrication.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

Monday 6 October – 8 December 2025 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Spring term 2026

Monday 12 January – 16 March 2026 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

This course is suitable for designers, makers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in learning CNC and laser cutting techniques. No prior experience is necessary, although a basic understanding of design principles and some familiarity with vector graphic software would be advantageous (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape).

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£359

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide a notebook and set of drawing pencils. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

A3 sketchbook and a set of drawing pencils.
Closed-toe footwear.
You may need to purchase larger quantities of specialist materials depending on the scale and type of models you wish to produce.

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

Short Courses FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

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Short Courses booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

About this course

This course is perfect for artists, designers, engineers, and hobbyists looking to expand their skill set and explore innovative fabrication techniques. Whether you're aiming to prototype a product, create custom decor, or simply experiment with new technologies, our Designing for CNC and Laser Cutting course provides the foundation you need to succeed.

Interactive workshops and hands-on projects will empower you to apply what you learn in real time, ensuring you develop both confidence and competence with the tools at your disposal. We emphasise safety and best practices, so you can work effectively while minimising risks. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have gained technical knowledge but also honed your problem-solving skills and creativity – two essential components of successful design and fabrication.

Throughout this 10-week course, you'll gain hands-on experience using cutting-edge CNC and laser cutting equipment, guided by an industry professional with extensive knowledge in the field. The curriculum covers everything from the fundamentals of CNC and laser cutting to advanced design and prototyping techniques. Participants will learn to navigate design software, understand material properties, and create detailed 2D models that can be transformed into tangible products.

Each week, you’ll dive deeper into the tools and techniques that define modern fabrication. Topics include an introduction to CNC and laser cutting, design software basics, material selection, machining fundamentals, and best practices for laser cutting. You'll also have the chance to develop your final project through iterative design processes and receive personalised feedback from your tutor.

Upon completion, you’ll not only receive a certificate to showcase your newfound expertise but also emerge with a portfolio piece that reflects your creativity and dedication.

The course aims to:

Provide comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of the design process for CNC and laser cutting.
Work accurately with dimensions and tolerances to produce high-quality designs.
Create efficient, scalable prototypes using laser cutting technology.
Design and optimise a final product suitable for CNC operations.
Develop a keen eye for material selection and usage in their projects.

Introduction to CNC and laser cutting
Design software basics and 2D modelling
Material properties and selection
CNC machining fundamentals
Laser cutting techniques and best practices
Prototyping and iterative design
Final project development and feedback sessions
Presentations and final project showcase

At the end of the course you'll:

Have designed a unique flat-pack furniture piece (e.g., stool, chair, shelf) at half scale.
Created a scaled prototype that's been laser cut and assembled.
Prepared final design files that are CNC-ready for production by an operator.
Gained valuable feedback through peer reviews and presentations of their projects.
All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Academy Certificate of Attendance detailing course content, and study hours.

Will I be assessed?

Throughout the course, you'll receive constructive feedback from instructors and peers. This iterative approach ensures that you can refine your designs and improve upon your initial concepts based on real-world critiques.

Book your place today

Book now

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your 3D design skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.