A hands-on 3-hour workshop in parametric design for 3D printing & laser cutting

In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to create your own parametric lampshade in Fusion, then turn your design into a real, functional object using either 3D printing or laser cutting.

You don't need any previous experience with CAD, Fusion, 3D printing or laser cutting. Just bring your curiosity — and your laptop.

Sunday, September 6 · 16:00–19:00
Alternative Makers · Berlin

What is a parametric lampshade?

Parametric design lets you create an object that can be changed and adapted by adjusting a set of parameters rather than redesigning everything from scratch.

In practice, that means you can start with one lampshade design and create endless variations of it.

Change the shape. Change the proportions. Change the pattern.
Make it bigger, smaller, more open, more dense or completely different.

During the workshop, Brian will guide you through the process of creating your own design and turning it into a physical lampshade.

And once you've learned the process, the design is yours to keep and reuse.

What you'll learn

We'll work with Fusion, Autodesk's 3D design software, and explore the principles of parametric design.

You'll learn how to:
* Build a simple parametric design in Fusion
* Understand how parameters affect the shape of your object
* Adapt and personalise your lampshade design
* Prepare your design for fabrication
* Understand the basic principles of both 3D printing and laser cutting
* Choose the right fabrication method for your design
* Turn a digital design into a physical object

You will choose one of two fabrication methods for your lampshade:

🖨️ 3D printing
Create your lampshade as a 3D-printed object.

Because 3D printing takes considerably longer, your lampshade may not be finished by the end of the workshop. Depending on the design, you may need to come back to Alternative Makers to collect it once it has finished printing.

🔥 Laser cutting
Turn your parametric design into a laser-cut lampshade using our 150W laser cutter and 3mm MDF.

The principles you learn during the workshop apply to both technologies, so you'll leave with an understanding of how to take your parametric designs further even if you choose only one method on the day.

What you'll leave with

At the end of the workshop, you'll have:

• A lampshade you designed yourself.
• You'll also have your parametric Fusion design, which you can continue to modify and reuse.

If you have access to a 3D printer, laser cutter or makerspace in the future, you can use what you've learned to keep making.

No experience needed

This workshop is designed for complete beginners.

You don't need to know Fusion, CAD, 3D printing nor laser cutting.
We'll guide you through the process step by step.

You do need to bring your own laptop with the free version of Fusion installed.

Before the workshop:

Please install Fusion before you arrive. Having your account created and the software ready to go will save us a lot of time and give you more time to actually design and make.

[Download the free version of Fusion] (https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal)

Autodesk Fusion is a cloud-based software. You need to create an account and an internet connection whenever you use it.
A normal modern laptop capable of running the free version of Fusion is sufficient.

If possible, please also make sure you can log into your Fusion/Autodesk account before the workshop.

Price
€200 per person

Alternative Makers members receive 10% off → €180

For members, machine use and the material allowance are already included in the membership, so there are no additional fabrication costs for the workshop.

For non-members, machine use and materials are charged separately depending on the fabrication method you choose.

If you choose 3D printing:

€3/hour, including filament.

A lampshade takes approximately 7 hours to print, so you can expect around €21 in additional fabrication costs.

If you choose laser cutting:

€0.60/minute for laser time + €6/m² for 3mm MDF.

A lampshade takes approximately 45 minutes to laser cut, so expect around €27 for the laser time, plus the MDF used.

Actual costs depend on your individual design and may vary.

This is one of the benefits of being an Alternative Makers member: your machine use and material allowance are already covered, and you get an additional 10% off the workshop price.

BECOME A MEMBER

Workshop details

Date: Sunday, September 6
Time: 16:00–19:00
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Alt Makers, Bornemannstr. 9, 13357 Berlin
Language: English - German can be accommodated for technical terms
Instructor: Brian Kiel, Co-Founder of Alt Makers
Level: Complete beginners welcome
Maximum participants: 8