Bill Cline : CAD Lab Technician

What is the philosophy of your shop?

Our shop is a bit different than the rest of the shops in the building because we are both a computer lab and technology center. We’re focused on designing and building using both additive and subtractive technologies (3D printers and laser cutters). The philosophy of our shop is learning through iteration and experimentation.

What types of processes and classes are taught in the shop?

We don’t teach classes per se, though we do give demos on using the equipment located here — typically for undergraduate Design Principles and CAD classes (SolidWorks and Rhino).

What outcomes for learning do you see from your shop?

Students walk away from this shop with knowledge of 3D rendering, CAD Modeling, 3D printing and laser cutting. As mentioned earlier this is a place to experiment, to make mistakes, to learn, and to build upon that knowledge. The skills that underpin these activities are all part of the design process and give students a better sense of how things are made and and how to design for manufacturing.

What is your background and expertise?

I come from both a design and technology background. I have an undergraduate degree in Industrial Design from the California College of the Arts and a graduate degree from the University of San Francisco in Information Systems Management. I have worked at RISD for 14 years as both staff and part-time faculty.

What excites you about working at RISD?

I love being part of such a wildly creative community, working with students, seeing their ideas, and having discussions about design and future technologies.

CAD Lab access

All students have access to the CAD Lab. Visit the CAD Lab site for more detailed information on the lab's capabilities (including large-format printing/plotting, 3D printing, and laser-cutting), reservations, and instructions.