Information about IDeATe

31 Dec 2020

IDeATe, the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology network at Carnegie Mellon, offers undergraduate minors and courses in Game Design, Animation & Special Effects, Media Design, Sonic Arts, Design for Learning, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Intelligent Environments, and Physical Computing. These areas merge technology and creativity and provide learning opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. IDeATe minors and courses are open to all majors. We welcome students from every discipline to the unique learning environment that exists at Carnegie Mellon.

Facilities:

Most IDeATe facilities are located in Hunt Library. Lending, Physical Computing Lab, Media Lab, the laser cutters, 3D printers, woodshop, and CNC router are on the lower level.

During the pandemic, these resources may be in modified operations and access to students may be limited or change, even if you are enrolled in IDeATe coources. Please consult, the IDeATe resources site (see below) for up-to-date information.

Facilties acces

The course will use the IDeATe Physical Computing Studio in Hunt Library. Students are required to comply with the policies and procedures for the IDeaTe facilities (see: https://resources.ideate.cmu.edu) and specifically for the Physical Computing Lab and Lending. Current information on accessing IDeATes facilities can be found on their facilities and resources website.

The lab is a shared space used by your colleagues and by other classes. The maintenance of the lab is the responsibility of the students i.e. students should clean up the lab as they use it and leave it in good working condition for others.

IDeATe and the Physical Computing Lab provides some short term lending of tools, parts and consumable components for use in student projects. These are available for reasonable use only and abuse of this resource or lab itself may result in loss of access.

For some of the assignments, students maybe be required to use specific equipment, hardware or software. All required equipment (hardware, components, etc.) will be made available for these assignments (see below). Additional and advanced hardware and components may be accessed in the Physical Computing Studio and in the IDeATe equipment lending pool which is open 7 days a week in the basement of Hunt Library. Required hardware (laptops, cameras, peripherals) may be checked out on request. If particular equipment is needed but is not available in the Studio or the Equipment Lending Library, let me know.

The classrooms and maker facilities fall within the Hunt Library hours of operation. Outside of class times, the Physical Computing Lab, along with any other IDeATe spaces, are available for your individual and collaborative work. Keep in mind that other classes use Physical Computing and you should avoid disrupting these classes. This online calendar highlights times that IDeATe spaces are in use for classes or meetings. Use this to plan accordingly.

Access to some spaces and resources in IDeATe, such as the 3D printers and laser cutters, may require safety training to be completed. For example, gaining access to laser cutters requires, completing the online Laser Cutter Safety module offered by CMU Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Fire Extinguisher Training class offered, and an equipment-specific safety training conducted by IDeATe staff. More information on this can be found on the Laser Cutter Policies. Plan accordingly in case you might need access for some of your project work. If you don’t have the training complete, you can attend Open Fabrication Hours offered Monday to Friday from 5pm-6pm during the academic year.

IDeATe advising:

If you have questions or need advice about IDeATe minors or courses, please get in touch with Kelly Delaney, the Assistant Dean of IDeATe. Her office is in Hunt 246 and her email is kellydel@andrew.cmu.edu.