Makerspace is a ‘gym for geeks’ at Hull Library
WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CRAFT ZONE
USING complicated 3D printers, laser cutters, or even screen printers seems out of reach for those who have not had any experience with art technology, but Makerspace in Hull’s Central Library allows anyone to have a go at using their vast range of equipment.
Despite passing through Albion Street several times, and even going into the central library a few, I was surprised when I learned about Makerspace, which has been situated on the third floor of the building the whole time.
The studio is massive and has several workstations dotted with complicated looking machines.
When I first entered, I thought it would not be a place for someone like me who struggles using a normal printer sometimes.
However, after a brief conversation with Makerspace development manager, Matthew Soare, he assured me that the space was open to anyone who was willing to learn and the staff were more than welcome to provide assistance when needed.
The open space creation studio is available to anyone on a walk-in-basis.
Anyone with an idea or concept of something they would like to create and walk in and bring it into existence.
He added Makerspace was a space where everyone was on a mission to collectively keep learning.
“One of my favourite things at Makerspace is when someone asks us if we know how to do something, if we don’t, we say ‘I don’t know but let’s find out,’” Matthew explained.
With that, he talked us through some of the facilities and equipment available in the studio, this included a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, soldering station, 3D printers, wide format banner printers, along with several other bits of technology that can allow users to create anything they want.
Matthew added that if someone came in looking to use a specific piece of equipment that they didn’t carry, Makerspace would be open to discussion to bring it in the future.
With that, I decided to create a 3D figure of a shark using acrylic and the laser cutter.
Matthew showed me how to use the software to set it up and said “If you can use Word Art, you can use this”, with a few clicks and Google searches, my work file was ready.
I picked a piece of blue acrylic and soon enough, the laser machine was firing its way through, cutting individual fragments for my final piece.
A mere five minutes later, it was assembled and ready.
I found the process incredibly easy, Matthew was a huge help and meticulously talked me through each step of the process.
At the end of it, I now know how to use the laser cutting machine and could possibly manage it without assistance in the future.
The concept of Makerspace is truly an interesting one, Matthew described it as a “gym for geeks” and I would agree.
It provides you with all the equipment you would need to buildthings for yourself creatively, and while there is assistance available, at the end of the day, they can help you but not do it for you.
Buying equipment like this is a hefty purchase for most people, but Makerspace allows you to learn new things and refine your creations just the same.
Membership for the general public is £20 a month, which would grant you access to most things, apart from a select few of the more expensive pieces of equipment. It is £10 for students and people who are unemployed.
It costs £10 for a day pass if you only wanted to drop by for a day.