On April 23rd, mpark hosted its very first undergraduate class visit. Instructor Kirsten Bradley’s English 211 class spent their time creating and designing their own bookmarks. mPark fellow T Cruz recorded an instructional step-by-step video on how to make an SVG file to upload to the laser cutter, The Glowforge. An SVG file an XML-based, vector image format designed for crisp, resolution-independent graphics on the web and in design.
Students then sent their custom files to mPark’s email to see the design print and cut during their class time. Once uploaded, the Glowforge went to work cutting and engraving the designs the students created. The students were able to see the Glowforge in action, as well as create cards using the Cricut. mPark fellow Xianzhong Meng, showed students how to upload SVG files to the Cricut Joy Extra and then used its pen setting to demonstrate its calligraphy and drawing capabilities.
Despite the Glowforge being a slightly time-consuming endeavor, students’ reflections proved that digital humanities will always teach you something new. All of them walked away knowing how to use Affinity Designer 2, what an SVG file is, how to engage with a Glowforge, and how to critically think about the digital world when it intersects with humanities. If you are a faculty member looking for ways to incorporate digital humanities into your class, please reach out to the mpark to schedule your class visit today.