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Innovation Studio

Residency

Industry-engagement and our strong maker culture puts collaboration at the heart of everything we do.

Residency

A Residency at AUB's Innovation Studio gives you and your business the chance to connect and collaborate with other creatives in our co-working space, as well as benefit from the expertise and equipment that the studio has to offer.

This opportunity is perfect for sole traders, micro-businesses and start-ups looking to develop ideas and grow their industry connections.

You can book a tour of the Innovation Studio to explore the co-working space or get in touch with us for more info or to register to be a Resident.

Included in the Residency

A Residency in the studio can be taken out on a 3-, 6- or 12-monthly basis, and prices start at just £175 (+VAT) per month.

As a Resident, you'll have access to:

  • A workspace in our Innovation Studio on our award-winning campus, with large designer desk with full desk set-up including monitor, keyboard, mouse and ergonomic chair.
  • Access to our Creative Technologies, including 3D printing and machining, 2D cutting and engraving, fabric printing and our virtual reality kit, as well as our incredible materials library and testing machines, plus the expertise of our talented technicians, academic practitioners and business mentors.
  • One-to-one support from the Innovation Studio team.
  • Bookable meeting rooms and breakout areas, weekday and Saturday access, on-site car parking and showers, personal locker, postage management system.
  • High-speed, secure wi-fi, AUB email address and access to AUB Intranet.
  • Access to masterclasses and knowledge sharing, including the sessions listed below.

Student using a Magic Leap VR headset

Intro to VR

Intro to Design in VR is perfect if you're curious to learn what virtual, augmented and mixed reality is all about. Across two and a half hours you'll explore each area of VR, as well as look at the software and tools used to create digital experiences. At the end of the session, you'll have a better understanding of the different types of VR as well as how you can create digital experiences using these tools.

Suitable for beginners; no previous VR experience necessary.

Duration: 2.5 hours

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A person is using VR equipment to draw abstract colourful shapes and lines.

Design in VR – Gravity Sketch

This half day course focusses on using Gravity Sketch for VR. You'll learn the fundamental tools and features of Gravity Sketch, as well as the operating functions of VR equipment. You'll experiment with a selection of tools and features through fun and interactive activities, whilst participating in group exercises with other attendees in virtual worlds. At the end of the session you'll produce a 3D model that you'll be able to photograph using an AR App.

By the end of the workshop, you'll be more confident in using Gravity Sketch for 3D modelling and have the opportunity to sign-up for Drop In sessions with your tutor and founder of Design in VR, Ekaterina Savosina, which will enable you to receive Gravity Sketch Certification.

Suitable for both Gravity Sketch beginners and anyone with VR experience wishing to progress their skills.

Duration: 3.5 hours

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Wooden cut outs of a cartoon ghost.

Design for 2D Prototyping

Over two and a half hours, in this workshop you'll learn how to design ideas for 2D manufacturing, considering equipment potential and limitations. You'll examine examples and discuss what design aspects work well and where designs can be improved.

By the end of the session, you'll have a better understanding of creating projects suitable for processes, such as laser cutting and water jet cutting.

Suitable for beginners; no previous 2D prototyping experience necessary.

Duration: 2.5 hours

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Image is cut in half: one half shows a 3D digital drawing of a cog and the other half shows it created as a 3D product.

Design for 3D Prototyping

This workshop will enable you to understand the potential and limitations of conventional 3D manufacturing. It includes how to optimise your design process to create better functional models for prototyping and manufacture.

By the end of the session, you'll have a better understanding of how to design your project to be compatible with 3D manufacturing processes like CNC routing and milling.

Suitable for beginners; no previous 3D prototyping experience necessary.

Duration: 2.5 hours

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Fusion 360 plastic printed example

Introduction to Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is industry-standard software for 3D modelling. Used for professional product design and manufacturing it has the capabilities to prepare designs for 3D printing. Throughout this workshop you'll receive an introduction to Fusion 360 and learn about its many innovative tools.

You'll cover the Fusion 360 interface and basic modelling techniques through step-by-step tutorials, as well as have the opportunity to explore the software on their own. You'll be challenged to design a keyring or similar object to demonstrate your understanding. There'll be the opportunity for Q&A as the workshop progresses.

By the end of the session, you'll have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of the software and be able to create your own 3D objects suitable for 3D printing.

Suitable for beginners; no previous Fusion 360 experience necessary.

Duration: 2.5 hours

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Render of a glass-fronted building using software Twin Motion

Introduction to Virtual Environments (Twinmotion)

Twinmotion is the fast, intuitive, and high-quality visualisation tool used by architects and designers to produce real-time videos and walkthroughs ready to export as images, video, and interactive VR scenes.

This introductory workshop will cover the interface and creation tools. You'll be shown examples of completed virtual spaces and be guided through the various techniques to create an environment of your own. You'll also learn how to export your content in various formats, for different methods of delivery.

By the end of the session, you'll have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of Twinmotion and be able to create your own virtual environments.

Suitable for beginners; no previous Twinmotion experience necessary.

Duration: 2.5 hours

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Tours of the Innovation Studio

If you're unsure how the Innovation Studio's resources could benefit you, we strongly encourage you to book an official tour of the space, so you can see it for yourself.

Held on alternate Wednesdays, 14.00-15.00, you'll have the chance to check out the space, resources and creative technology available. You'll also be able to meet the team and ask any questions you may have about the programme or the studio.

Alternatively, you can check out the studio's facilities using our interactive 360 tour.

Being a Resident business at the Innovation Studio has allowed us to work closely with the technicians and utilise their knowledge of lower volume and prototyping methods. The vast amount of software, equipment, and resources that the AUB has is really impressive… There’s no doubt that this has all contributed to our growth over the last year.

Element Creative Ltd., Innovation Studio Resident

The Innovation Studio has helped me massively with finding a focus for my practise and guiding me to where I could take it since graduating. It has also given me great access to the facilities here at AUB, which allow me to continue creating ambitious sculptural pieces.

Ruby Travis, Innovation Studio Resident, Ruby Zena Textiles

Explore the Innovation Studio

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an exterior wall with two reverse-L shaped windows and three semi-circle panels visible. A person walks past towards the right.

Overview

The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies, a nucleus for start-ups and enterprises and an industry engagement hub.

Two people stand and look at a collection of lit-up transparent boxes stacked on top of one another.

Events and workshops

A series of workshops and lectures for industry professionals to develop innovation and creative capabilities.

Abstract image

Projects

Take a look at some of our recent collaborative projects with external partners and businesses

Sunseeker employee working on schematics of a boat

Associate membership

Our Associate Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio to regional businesses seeking research and development support.

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an interior space, with several people sat working at tables. A rectangle-shaped railing is in the middle of the room.

Creative Technologies

The Innovation Studio features state-of-the-art equipment and digital resources, and the latest manufacturing technology.