Digital Fabrication Studio Discipline
Digital Fabrication & Design (DFD) is a multidisciplinary, hands-on area focused on making, experimentation, and learning through doing. The program emphasizes the development of ideas through direct engagement with materials and tools, combining digital technologies with traditional craft and fabrication processes. Through this balance, DFD fosters a thoughtful and practical approach to design in which curiosity, innovation, technical skill, and material understanding develop together.
Students work across a range of materials including metal, wood, plastics, clay, and fibers, while moving between hand-making processes and digital tools such as CNC machining, laser cutting, 3D printing, and CAD software. Instruction emphasizes prototyping, iteration, problem-solving, and craftsmanship, supporting students as they move from concept development to finished work.
By bridging craft, design, engineering logic, and creative inquiry, and by integrating new technologies with established making traditions, the Digital Fabrication & Design area prepares students to produce work that is purposeful, well-crafted, and aligned with current professional practices and industry demands.
First Year Program in Art & Design
We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.
Galleries & Exhibitions
Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.
Art & Design Programs
Art & Design studio disciplines are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of all programs offered by the Department of Art & Design.
Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Associate Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
- hawk@uwm.edu
- Art 430B
- Teaching Faculty II, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Studio Technician, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Safety Coordinator, College of the Arts & Architecture
- meierea@uwm.edu
- Art 358
- Teaching Faculty II, Digital Fabrication & Design
- vivirito@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 368
Undergraduate Scholarship Priority Applications
Fall: December 15
Graduate Applications
Fall: January 25
Those eligible for the Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship (AOP) should apply by December 10.
Undergraduate Programs
Katie Martin-Meurer, art-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Jessica Meuninck Ganger, art-grad-admission@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763