Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Art - Object Design and Fabrication

Ideas are turned into reality—whether that means furniture, lighting, wearable tech, functional art, interactive installations, or sustainable products. In Object Design & Digital Fabrication at AUArts, students work at the intersection of imagination and innovation, transforming raw materials and digital files into objects that shape daily life, spark curiosity, and inspire change.

Bring creative visions to life in a studio where traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. The program goes beyond mastering digital fabrication techniques, emphasizing collaboration, experimentation, and innovation to design meaningful, impactful objects.

Program Overview

Object Design & Digital Fabrication at AUArts pushes creative boundaries in three dimensions. The program combines hands-on making with advanced digital design, working with tools ranging from classic hand tools to CNC routers, 3D printers, and laser cutters. Ideas are developed through every step of the process: sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping, and building finished works for real clients, public exhibitions, or personal artistic practice.

The curriculum includes mastery of industry-standard CAD software, experimentation with wood, metal, plastics, and textiles, and exploration of how technology reshapes what objects can be—across art, design, and society. Each project presents an opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and think critically about the impact of the created objects.

Program Highlights

• Rapid Prototyping Playground: Start designing with 3D modeling, then bring ideas to life using cutting-edge CNC machines, 3D printers, and laser cutters.
• CAD Mastery: Dive deep into industry-standard Computer-Aided Design software and learn to create complex, production-ready digital models.
• Digital Craft Fusion: Experiment with projects that merge digital design precision with hands-on, tactile craft—creating one-of-a-kind objects that bridge art and technology.
• Emergent Tech Exploration: Tackle complex topics like algorithmic object design, AI-powered creation, and augmented reality, discovering how new tech is transforming the future of design.
• Collaborative Culture: Work on team-based projects that push creative boundaries and encourage interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Showcase Your Work: Build a project portfolio by taking part in studio critiques, campus exhibitions, and digital showcases.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Object Design & Digital Fabrication concentration will:

• Master advanced digital fabrication tools, machinery, and 3D modeling software.
• Design and produce objects that combine creativity, function, and innovation.
• Collaborate on interdisciplinary teams to bring ideas from concept to prototype.
• Understand and apply theories and histories of object design.
• Develop sustainable practices within contemporary design contexts.

New! The Bachelor of Fine Arts program now offers emerging secondary concentrations in Comic Studies and Game Design, available as additional areas of focus alongside the primary concentration.