Academic Year 2019-2020 : What’s New

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

New Studio Layout

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

Design Studio :: Key Dates 2018/2019

Building S11 Operating Hours and Security

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

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 for 2018 / 2019

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

Exhibition 2018 Key Dates

The end of year show is open to the public 14th – 30th June.

After this date the show will still be up for various internal / private events the last of which is on the Tuesday 17th July.

The show takedown will begin on Wednesday 18th July:

  • 17thJuly                       :           VC Dinner [final show event]
  • 18th– 22rdJuly             :           Show takedown – Students [please collect your own work or make arrangements for it to be collected]
  • 23rdJuly                       :           Any remaining student work taken down and put in temporary storage area
  • 22rdJuly – 27th            :           Show takedown – Contractors [contractors to dismantle walls and rearrange studios]
  • 31stAugust                :          Deadline for work collection – Disposal / Recycling

Do NOT take work away before 18th July

Note: portfolios / drawing tubes will not be disposed.  These will move to the portfolio racks. Any portfolios / tubes still remaining by the beginning of next term will have their contents disposed of and then be offered to new students.

 

 

End of Year / Exhibition :: Key Dates

Here are key dates for activities running up to the final submission and End of Year show. (dates subject to change)

30th April                     :           Graphics Year 2 final submission

30th April                     :           Signage up to clear 1001-1006 by the 8th

1/2/3 May                   :           Plot Slam (reduced price plotting)

1st & 4th May               :           Graphics Year 1 final submission

1st May                        :           MA Digital Arts Launch – Crit Pit

9th May                     :           BA Arch 1/2/3 final submission

8th May                        :           Second year CPDA show fitout

10th May – 14th          :           Second Year CPDA Show

11th May                     :           MArch / MLA&MA&BA Landscape final submission

14th May                      :           CPDA Advanced Projects final submission

15-18 May                   :           1005/1006 CPDA reserved space

17th May                      :           Student Lead Teaching Awards (eve)– Crit Pit (& project space)

**17th May                  :           Workshop Deadline CPDA for orders for exhibition plinths etc.

18 May                        :           Delivery of exhibition materials (store in 1010)

18 May                        :           24 Hour Studio opening finishes (midnight close from now on)

21 May                        :           Graphics Year 3 Final Submission

21 May – 25 May       :           CPDA Exhibition Fitout (by contractors) – 5 days (SHED)

23 May                        :           ALS EC Resubmission

**24th May                  :           Workshop Deadline ALS for orders for exhibition plinths etc.

29 May – 1 June          :           CPDA Hanging (by students / staff)

29 May – 2 June         :           ALS Exhibition Fitout (by contractors) – 5 days (28th holiday)

4 – 8 June                    :           CPDA Marking

4 – 12 June                  :           ALS Hanging (by students / staff)

11th/12th June             :           CPDA Rehanging / adjusting

13th June                     :           SHOW STARTS (no access to studio floor after 9.00AM)

July 2nd July                 :           Show closed to public

17th July                       :           VC Dinner

18th – 23rd July             :           Show takedown – Students collect own work

23rd July                       :           Remaining student work taken down and put to one side

23rd July – 27th            :           Show takedown – Contractors

31st August                  :           Deadline for work collection – Disposal / Recycling

 

 

 

 

 

S11 Studios :: 24 Hour Opening Times

S11 First Floor Studios will be operating 24 hours April / May 2018

Opening hours:

  • Monday 9th April – Thursday 17th May (inclusive)
    Monday – Sunday : 24 Hours
  • Friday 18th May – Tuesday 12th June
    Monday – Sunday : Midnight closing
  • Wednesday 13th June
    Summer Exhibition Opening.
    No access to the studio floor after 9.00AM until the show starts

During the extended opening times security staff from Reassurance Security Services will be monitoring the space alongside University security staff.

No access to 2nd / 3rd Floors

Please keep your University Gateway card on you at all times

Students will be asked to go home in the event they found are sleeping

Report disruptive behaviour to member of security staff

End of Year Submissions 2018 :: Plotting

Dear Student

In anticipation of the exceptional demand for plotting and printing in final submission week in May we would like to make you aware of some important information and advice:

Iterative / Deliberated Portfolio Content

You should be looking to build your portfolio throughout the year and NOT routinely printing, or reprinting the entire contents for final submission.  Critical review of your portfolio BEFORE printing is essential in terms of establishing if each particular page is necessary, and is correct (reprinting wastes time, money, effort, media).

Print early where possible: the two high volume plotters in Stockwell Street Library and Studio are very capable machines but simply cannot process every student’s entire portfolio with a few days.

Time management regarding plotting and submitting is an important skill you must learn; busy plotters are not a valid reason for late submission.

 

Early-bird “Plot Slam” Offer: 35% Price Reduction

We will be offering the opportunity of discounted batch printing for a three-day period in the preceding week for properly formatted and submitted files:

  • May 1/2/3 2018; 10.00AM – 4.00PM
  • Oce Colourwave 700 plotter (the 5 standard loaded media types)
  • PDF file containing correctly formatted / sized pages for printing per media type.
  • Submitted to Phil Hudson on USB at studio support office

If there are sufficient funds in your account then the files will be sent direct to the plotter and your account adjusted accordingly.

Discount for early batch printing : 35% reduction of Colourwave plot prices

Note: Offer does not include sheet feed plotter or A3 printers.  Proper formatting and preparation is student’s own responsibility; no refunds.  Standard sizes only; “long plots” must be processed separately. Students are responsible for collection / trimming of printed work.

 

Bureau Print Services

There are other options available for printing other than within the University

  • Plot Giant: www.plotgiant.co.uk
  • Service Point: servicepointuk.com
  • Panopus panopus.com
  • Online Reprographics www.onlinerepro.co.uk
  • SBS Printers www.sbsprinters.co.uk

SBS Printers are located on the ground floor of Stockwell Street, they will be offering a discount in May and aim for same day turnaround service.

 

Service Support

We will commit to providing support for computers and plotters during core working hours but out of hours (especially overnight) service will be reliant on robustness of the machines and behaviour of users – please do not attempt to carry out modifications, repairs, hacks to our equipment.  Many issues arise from unnecessary interference which may not be covered under our service agreements.

 

 

New Scanner Glass Fitted

The large format sheet feed scanner has been fitted with a replacement glass panel – quality issues were due to scratching and marking of the old one.  When scanning please avoid using media that can damage the glass – paperclips, masking tape, very thick paper, abrasive material, etc.

Vray for Rhino Need to Know

Chaos group who produce Vray have some excellent tutorials on the fundamentals of rendering with Vray for Rhino.

If you are intending to do Vray based rendering in Rhino then their introduction for architects is ESSENTIAL viewing, and perhaps the most useful 10 minutes you will spend this year

Other tutorials are available from their site

https://www.chaosgroup.com/vray/rhino/tutorial-videos

S11 Studios :: Christmas 2017 Opening Times

S11 First Floor Studios will be operating 24 hours Dec / Jan 

Opening hours from:

  • Monday 27th November – Thursday 14th December (inclusive)
    Monday – Sunday : 24 Hours
  • Friday 15th December – Friday 22nd December (inclusive)
    Monday – Sunday : 8.00 am – 12.00 midnight

NOTE: STUDIOS ARE CLOSED from Friday 22nd December 17.00 until 8.00am Tuesday 2nd January. The Library building will be open between Christmas and New Year but the S11 studios will not be.

Opening hours from

  • Tuesday 2nd January – Thursday 11th January (inclusive)
    Monday – Sunday : 24 Hours

During the extended opening times security staff from Reassurance Security Services will be monitoring the space alongside University security staff.

  • Please keep your University Gateway card on you at all times
  • Students will be asked to go home in the event they found are sleeping
  • Report disruptive behaviour to member of security staff
  • This applies to first floor studios only – levels 2 and 3 will be closed