Application link at bottom of post
The University of Michigan Library's Shapiro Design Lab (SDL) is seeking students to join our Design Lab Team. In this ever-evolving experimental space founded on peer learning, engaged learning, and interdisciplinarity, interns oversee space operations, assist with projects, provide consultations, and participate in growing the Design Lab with their own ideas and passions.
The work of the Lab is guided by our principles and encompasses a variety of learning opportunities and projects within three different spaces, all located on the first floor of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library:
Spaces:
PIE Space (Prototype-Inspire-Explore): An open area with seating for 30 that features a Prototyping Cart, 55” collaboration monitor, whiteboards, and a repurposed vending machine, the Design-o-Matic 4000.
Media Production Rooms: Three rooms offer a variety of tools and software that can be used for audio production, motion graphics, video production, CAD, graphic design.
Workshop: An area with a number of "making" tools (letterpress, sewing machine, vinyl cutter/heat press, soldering station, laser cutter/engraver, 3D printers), as well as a collaboration hub, and whiteboards.
Themes:
Disability Culture // Accessibility: Projects focus on improving accessibility through a piece of technology, making a piece of technology more accessible, or advancing the development of Disability Culture within the University and wider community.
Audio Storytelling // Podcasting: Projects involve making, editing, and distributing long-form audio stories or an ongoing, multi-episode podcast. Can also include working with community partners on local audio recovery projects.
Community Knowledge Partnerships: Projects involve sustained engagement and/or partnership with communities beyond the University of Michigan, and prioritize and center the communities’ knowledge and lived experiences.
Responsibilities:
- Work a 8-12 hours per week at $15/hour
- Daily maintenance and operations of Design Lab spaces and equipment (cleaning, organizing, basic equipment maintenance, and documentation)
- Provide peer consultation and instruction to Design Lab users and community members
- Technical support for applications and hardware including but not limited to audio/video production and editing, 3d modeling/sculpting, graphic design, simulation
- Systems and process documentation, design, and improvement
- Research and development of physical and software tools, training resources, and job aids
- Assist with completion of Design Lab Projects with campus and outside partners
- Regularly engage with Lab colleagues via monthly staff meetings (community nights)
- Write a end of year summary about your experience working in the Design Lab
- Explore and develop your own interests and talents as part of the learning community
Qualifications:
- Experience, aptitude, or interest in using maker and fabrication technologies (ie. textile Arts, digital fabrication, rapid prototyping tools, circuits, a/v production, etc.)
- Dependable and timely communication across multiple media
- Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and work independently
- Ability and desire to work both collaboratively and cooperatively in the service of building a learning community in the Shapiro Design Lab
- Interest in collaborating with individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints
- Passion for and alignment with the Design Lab’s principles
- Ability to respond to changing needs within a project and with the Design Lab overall, given its exploratory and experimental character
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with any of the following:
- Audio/Video production, equipment, software, and editing.
- Textile/Fiber Arts
- Intermediate electronics (circuit boards, Arduinos/Raspberry Pi, IoT devices)
- Data analysis, especially with R- or Python-based packages, as well as experience with machine learning concepts
- Graphic Design
- Additive and subtractive fabrication (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC)
Click to Apply:
Complete the google form intern application (including uploading your resume) by Friday, September 20. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the posting may close early. If you have any questions, please email shapirodesignlab@umich.edu.