Remaking Material Culture in 3D
This unit is designed to develop students’ knowledge of the theory and practice of digitising material culture by producing computer generated and printed 3D models. Technologies and methods for recording tangible cultural heritage, including artefacts, buildings, and landscapes are covered, placing particular emphasis on the field of computational imaging; a field in computer science that studies the computational extraction of information from digital photographs and has democratised the process of capturing, preserving, disseminating, and promoting heritage. 3D printing and its different applications in the cultural and creative industries are also examined. 3D recording and 3D printing methods will be presented both theoretically and practically, discussing the history and the state-of-the-art, best practices and protocols, and characteristic applications from various fields. Students will develop skills in the use of digital 3D recording and printing tools and methods and will have the opportunity to use Design Thinking to apply their knowledge to real-world case studies and scenarios. By the end of this unit, students will have the ability to use digital tools and methods to record, present, and disseminate material culture in both digital and physical three-dimensional forms.