Author: Phil Hudson

We are implementing pre-booking system for access to some on-site resources in a controlled and safe way, Mondays to Fridays:

• Design Studio Workstation PCS (20): AM / PM / EVE
• Design Studio MACS (4): AM / PM / EVE
• Design Studio Photography Studio-Pod (1): AM / PM
• Workshop Spaces (6): AM / PM

The Moodle page for making bookings is here [NOT currently live]

https://moodlecurrent.gre.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=64393

You must only come to the studio or workshop for your designated, pre-booked time slot.

Your allocated space will have a notice pinned to it with your name and booking details – use only this spot and do not move these notices. Support staff will be on hand to offer assistance.

Workstation PCs

24 (dual monitor) machines are available in the studios for pre-booking. Machines and surfaces will be cleaned each morning by the University janitorial staff – but you should also wipe down the station at the beginning and end of your session using the cleaning wipes provided.

Photography Pod

A photographic setup with studio lighting and backdrops is available – for use by one user at a time.

Workshop Spaces

Six workshop spaces are available for full day / half day slots. Wipe down shared machine and tools surfaces before use.

School of Design Technical Facilities: Covid19 Arrangements

Updated 14 September 2020

In response to the ongoing pandemic situation we have implemented measures that enable students to utilise the School’s specialist technical resources in a safe, managed way.

Note these measures relate specifically to the School’s studios / computing / workshop and photography spaces; they will also be subject to the University’s broader guidance which can be found here

https://www.gre.ac.uk/coronavirus

You can expect an emphasis on pre-booking, greater remote access and some “click and collect” style operation when interacting with our technical facilities.

The S11 building will be open Monday – Friday 8.30AM – 9.00PM for access by students with timetabled taught activities or pre-booked session only.

A PDF of the entire floor plate can be downloaded here

A PDF containing detailed plans of all the studios – and computer lab 2001 – can be downloaded here

Computing

• Open access PCs in studio: a limited number of machines will be available for pre-booking only.  AM / PM sessions, no “walk-ups”.
  Available from Monday 20th September; link will be published here.
• Remote access PCS: we are working to enable direct connection to our workstations and so allow direct access to its software and processing power from your home machine.
  Available from Monday 20th September; link will be published here.
• Click and collect plotting:  send plots from home for collection from a Uni pickup point (note: the instruction is still for you to present and submit digitally).
  Available from Monday 20th September; link will be published here.
• Laptops: there will be no laptop loaning service

Studios

• All studio spaces will be for timetabled classes only – unfortunately you will NOT be able to visit and work in studios unless part of a timetabled session.
• You must not leave portfolios / models in studios; please bring and take away only what you need for your timetabled session.
• Studio tables MUST NOT BE MOVED from their designated locations; seating must also be at the points at tables indicated.
• Entrance to taught sessions will be managed so you will filter in gradually and fill up spaces from the back, etc.

Photography

• We will have a photography studio setup available in the first-floor studios – for pre-booking only
• The basement photography studio will be not be available unless specific arrangements have been made and approved – for single users only.

Further information about studios

Workshop

• Access to the bench area and woodworking machines by pre-booking online, no “walk-ups”. The workshop will be operating at a reduced capacity with a limited number of spaces each day
• Impact resistant face shields to be worn when working in the space, these will be disinfected at the end of the day. FFP3 mask to still be worn when using certain machines or chemicals
• Informal technical tutorial and model making discussions carried out via MS Teams, booked online in advance   
• Laser cutting / CNC milling / 3d printing files submitted via email, these will be processed by staff and collected from a collection point at a specified time  
• One-way entrance and exit routes will be implemented  

Further information about model workshop

We are also publishing guides and information to help students carry out valuable home studio tasks such as 3d scanning, photography techniques, model making and process specific resources.

Please be aware that as this is a changing situation the specifics of these arrangements may also need to change.  

When choosing your own CAD / design / visualisation machine consider the following broad pointers for specifications.

• As much RAM as possible; 8Gb bare minimum but 16gb or more recommended
• Discreet Nvidia GTX or Quadro graphics card – rather than onboard graphics
• i5/i7 class or AMD Ryzen cpu
• SSD – solid state hard drive; doesn’t necessarily need to be huge if you store data on an external drive.
• Warranty – check this is not just a basic return to supplier option which would mean you are without a machine for weeks.
• Screen: 1080p minimum resolution; 24 inch plus is ideal for CAD / visualisation – and adding a cheaper smaller second screen is a great productivity booster.

While machines without all these specs will still run the more power hungry applications it will likely be a frustrating and limited experience.

Note:

Macs won’t natively run Vray for Rhino or 3D Studio Max – but they do tend to be very well built and long lasting (and there are other renderers available; e.g. Keyshot)

You can get discount on Macs via the Apple Eduction / Unidays store

A desktop machine will be cheaper and easier to upgrade than a laptop – also you can have larger and dual monitor setups which is extremely useful for CAD / design work.

A refurbished or older machine with good specs is likely to be better than a new basic one – these two suppliers currently have refurbished laptops – with warranty – available for delivery:

https://www.tier1online.com/

https://www.europc.co.uk/

Apple also sell refurbished and warranties models on the Apple Refurbished Site

.

Note: The Stockwell Street Building and its facilities be closed from 17.00 Friday 20th March until further notice.

While you are unable to visit the University and access the School of Design facilities, here are some resources that may help while you continue your studies off-site:

Software

Software available for download and installing onto your own machines:

Remote Rendering

It is possible to upload V-Ray render files to the University for processing on the workstation machines; uploaded files will be queued, processed and returned as .PNG images.

Instructions on how to remote render

Chaos also offer a paid render service themselves; priced according to render size and complexity

Chaos Cloud Paid Render

Learning Resources

Links to useful online tutorials / manuals / guides for popular design related software

Photography

Information about putting together a photography setup in your own home

Photography at Home

Workshop

Workshop Activities at Home

Tech Support

We will endeavour to respond to queries and give advice regarding supporting off site activities as much as possible. Please mail us here

DesignStudios@gre.ac.uk

All key dates running up to the final submissions, end of year show and end of term are now SUSPENDED due to the current situation. A revised schedule will be published when conditions allow.

Monday 20th April

• 24/5 Hour Access BEGINS (Proposed)
• First / Second Floor S11

Monday 27th April

• Final Submission
• BA Architecture Year ONE

Wednesday 29th April

• Final Submission
• BA Architecture Year TWO

Monday 4th May

• Final Submission
• MArchitecture Year ONE

Tuesday 5th May

• Final Submission
• BA Architecture Year THREE

Wednesday 6th May

• Final Submission
• MArchitecture Year TWO

Thursday 7th May

• Final Submission
• BA / MA / MLA Landscape Architecture All Years

Friday 8th May

• 24/5 Hour Access ENDS (Proposed)
• First / Second Floor S11

Monday 11th-14th May

• Install by SECOND YEAR Graphics / Animation students
• Studios 1001 – 1006

Friday 15th May

• SECOND YEAR Graphics / Animation Show
• Studios 1001 – 1006

Monday 18th-22nd May

• Deinstall by Students
• 2nd year graphics show takedown

Monday 18th-22nd May

• Build : RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THESE SPACES
• Studios 1001-1006 :Graphics / Media / Animation.

Tuesday 26-29 May (Monday is a BH)

• Install by students
• Graphics / Media / Animation

Tuesday 26-29th May:

• Build : RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THESE SPACES
• Studios 10-21 (Architecture and Landscape)

Monday 1-3 June:

• Marking
• Graphics / Media / Animation

Monday 1-5th June:

• Install
• Architecture install (going into weekend if necessary)

Monday 1-5th June:

• Build: RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THESE SPACES
• 1-5th June: Ground floor build and installation / FTV

Monday 8/9th June:

• Rehang (where required)
• Graphics / Media / Animation

Wednesday 10th June

• Opening 6.00PM
• NO ACCESS FOR STUDENTS DURING THE DAY

Saturday 27 June

• Open Day
• Show closes 6PM

Sunday 28 June – 5th July

• Deinstall by all students
• Students to collect own work

Monday July 6th – July 10th

• Deinstall
• Remaining student work is moved to holding area

Monday July 13th – 24th

• Take down: RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THESE SPACES
• All first floor studio
• Contractors to dismantle show and make good studios for beginning of term

Friday 28th August

• Disposal
• Unclaimed student work to be disposed / recycled

Here are some of the changes and additions for the design resources in Stockwell Street this new academic year.

Studios

Studio layout has changed; the tall walls in the crit pit put up for exhibition will now stay.  These walls are now open ended with shelving inside for extra portfolio storage in the studios.  More tables and chairs have been purchased too as well as new wheelable roll cages for tidier storage and transport of models / media / drawings.

Please make use of the extra storage – this year we are required to be tidier and less cluttered with work and models, etc. Please identify models and portfolios as your own – we may move these to storage shelves if they are cluttering the spaces.

The areas assigned to course groups have changed too; broadly the user / studio arrangement is like this

• 1001 / 1002 : Landscape Architecture
• 1003 / 1004 / 1005 / 1006 : Graphic Design
• Crit Pit / 1020: Architecture
• 1010 / 1019 : Shared studios

Computers

Software Updates :

• Autodesk 2020 [about to be installed]
• Sketchup 2019
• Zbrush 2019
• Cinema 4d r20
• Blender 2.8
• Vray Next

New software: 

• KeyShot 8 – standalone renderer for Rhino, Sketchup etc.  Easy to use and fast.
• Insta360 Studio – 360 camera editing
• Cyclone Register 360. Laser Scanner registration and processing software

Plotting and Equipment

The plotting software has changed, we are now using Uniflow.  Prices have stayed the same, but now you will plot per area of plot – meaning you can choose any of the standard ISO sizes or make a custom size plot (for example a long plot).  The price is calculated according to the area and you will get a confirmation dialogue with the price for that area before going ahead.

New sheet feed plotter – we have an additional Canon TX-3000 plotter which has replaced the old sheet feed plotter.  Higher quality and faster – plots are also now charged per area of plot.

New Laser Printers: All of the A3/A4 laser printers in the University have been replaced.  The new models are faster, higher quality and deal with heavy PDF files better.  When printing duplex the second (back) page costs less.

NEW Ideal 4315 electric guillotine: this is a guillotine that will let you cut up to 40mm thick reams of paper / card in one go. It has an electric gauge and laser guide to allow precise measurements of cuts.  MUST NOT to be used with Perspex / wood etc. You will require the key to unlock and use this cutter – this will be available from support staff

Insta EVO 360 Camera

Camera for recording 360 degree movies and stills (used for creating video at top of this page). Includes “invisible” selfie stick.

Workshop

NEW Ultimaker 5S 3D Printer: this is a new larger printer that allows print volumes of 330 x 240 x 300 mm. Small but important feature of this printer is that it will pause when it runs out of material the resume when it is refilled.

https://ultimaker.com/learn/the-ultimaker-s5-is-here

NEW laser cutter: Universal ILS9.150D can cut sheets up to 914 x 610. It is much more powerful than the old laser cutter it is replacing and much faster. The focus this year will be on all students doing their own laser cutting for straightforward jobs.

https://www.ulsinc.com/products/platforms/ils9150d

Building S11 Operating Hours and Security

Opening hours for the Christmas break and details of the 24 hour operation which will start on 24^thNovember:

Christmas / New Year Closure Dates

Closes:                         Friday 21st December 2018 / 5.00PM

Re-opens:                    Wednesday 2nd January 2019 / 8.00AM

24 Hour Opening

The 24 hour opening period for S11 Studios and 2nd Floor spaces is:

Monday 26th November – Friday 14th December (midnight)

and

Wednesday 2nd January – Friday 11th January (midnight)

Note:

• 24 Hour Opening is for Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday only:  
• Saturday and Sundays are midnight closing

Security

Please exercise sensible security practice while in studios:

• Don’t leave laptops and valuables unattended
• Report suspicious behaviour to security staff
• University and REASSURANCE security staff will patrol the areas
• Keep Gateway Card on you at all times – you may be asked to leave if you do not have it with you
• In the event of a fire alarm activation please leave immediately by following the fire exit signs to the nearest exit – use the enclosed stair cores rather than the open stairs.
• No sleeping! Staff will wake anyone caught napping; Please go home when you are too tired to work.

 

 

New Machines: Teaching Lab 2001

This room has had all machines replaced; it now consists of

10 x HP Z6 Workstations with the following spec

• Intel DUAL Xeon 8 core CPU
• 64GB Ram
• NVIDIA Quadro P4000 8GB Graphics Card
• 1TB SSD
• 3d connexion space mouse
• 27 inch UHD screen

30 x Dell Precision 5720 AIO Chassis

• Intel Xeon Processor E3-1225 v5 (Quad Core)
• 64GB (4x16GB) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC 1 SR
• AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 Graphics
• 1TB SSD
• Touch Screen

 

Design Studio Computing

• Canon TX300 Large format scanner / Photo glossy plotter
• 5 additional Xeon HP Z6 workstations (to be installed)

Software

• Rhino 6
• Vray NEXT for 3ds
• Vray 3.4 for Rhino / Sketchup
• 3DF Zephyr Photogrammetry [to be installed]
• Autodesk 2019
• Adobe 2018

Workshop

• Mini Pewter furnace – for casting in pewter
• 3D Printer – Formlabs Form 2 SLA printer
• Large Belt Sander
• Soldering station