Opening our Makerspace - the Student Story
We spoke to the team of Undergraduate Engineers who worked to design, build and open our first student-only Makerspace on our Campus.
Why did you want to have makerspace on campus?
George: We have a lot of fantastic equipment and resources at Dyson, and as a company, creativity is really valued. What is missing is a space where that creativity can be unleashed in an area that isn’t Research Design and Development sensitive, and where we as students get to decide what the priorities are. The equipment sourcing, spaces setup and access policy has been done by a partnership of a small number of students and staff, taking input from the whole of the Institute, and taking inspiration from successful other makerspaces.
Joseph: At the Institute we already have labs, but these are tailored towards academic experiments and demonstrations. What we were missing was a workshop for students to complete practical projects and that’s one of the main facilities included in the makerspace. This space gives all students the tools and resources to safely design, build and bring their ideas to life.
Josephine: Previously, student projects have been limited by a lack of suitable spaces and resources. Especially first-year students living on campus, who often lack garages or gardens, have found it hard for their creativity to express itself – in a safe way. The makerspace has been carefully designed to be a dedicated space and will be an amazing asset for students at the Institute.
So, how did you take this from an existing lab to the finished product?
George: Mostly because Lucy Trowse (Smart Campus Lead) is a miracle worker! Also because we’ve had support from a wide range of teams at Dyson, which I’m grateful for, such as Estates, Health and Safety, the EST (Electronics safety team). Engineers, estates staff and other experts from across the business have really supported the idea, and helped us to not only do the project, but do it right!
Joseph: We took an unused old lab to a modern creative practical space; we’ve cleared out its previous contents and rearranged its layout to create a more open space. Where possible, we have decked the space out with surplus equipment and furniture from around Dyson, giving the equipment a second life and students access to industry grade facilities. We have also purchased and set up a range of both hand and CNC tools, giving students the equipment they need, however high or low tech, for their making needs.
Josephine: We thought carefully about how students would want to use the space. Then, we tried to split the lab into zones to facilitate this. We opened some bays by removing desks to create space for larger projects, and grouped equipment into electrical, CAD, soldering, and textiles. We built a machine tools workshop and a break space for collaborative design and community. We carefully considered identity and worked to reflect this in signage, logos, and decorations. It was important to us that it felt like a student space.
It's clear to see all that intentionality in the design from the finished product! How did it work on this new project with fellow students and staff?
George: I think this project shows one of the strengths of the smaller size of the Institute. We as students really get to know the individual staff members, which is essential for getting a project like this getting off the ground.
Joseph: It’s been great to see the amazing enthusiasm from fellow students and great support from the Institute staff in getting this space open.
How will this space be used going forward?
Joseph: Everything making! From DIY projects to prototypes for coursework.
George: Hopefully for lots of personal projects! One of the first big projects was the Graduation Centerpieces, without the Makerspace the team would not have been able to make all of them in time!
Josephine: We hope that the space will continue to grow in line with the projects students want to use it for. I am looking forward to seeing future Christmas party costumes and Challenge Dyson builds become increasingly ambitious now that we have a better makerspace with more tools!
