Foundations of Fabrication is a hands-on program for learning how to take an idea from your head and turn it into something real.

Over 16 weeks, you'll learn how to develop an idea, choose materials and fabrication methods, plan a build, prototype, troubleshoot, and carry a project through to completion. Along the way, you'll work with a range of materials and tools while taking on projects that give you more confidence as you go.

You won't leave knowing how to use every tool at MakeHaven. That's not the goal. You'll leave knowing how to approach something you haven't made before, figure out what you need to learn, and get started.

No previous fabrication experience is required.

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Upcoming cohorts

Every cohort runs 16 weeks, two evenings a week, for up to 15 people, and costs $2,650 with basic project materials included. MakeHaven membership is required and paid separately. Open cohorts are listed here with their start dates.

How Foundations works

You'll learn by making.

Foundations is built around a series of projects that become more open-ended as the program goes on. You'll start with guided builds where the design and process are provided. From there, you'll modify existing designs, solve open-ended fabrication problems, combine materials and processes, and eventually design and complete a project of your own.

You might learn that a cut could be made with a bandsaw, laser cutter, CNC router, or waterjet, then look at why you would choose one over another. You'll spend substantial hands-on time working with wood, metal, digital design and fabrication, and basic electronics. Along the way, you'll encounter other tools and processes as they become useful to the projects you're working on.

As your skills and confidence grow, you'll learn to recognize what you already know, what you still need to figure out, and how to approach a tool, material, or process you haven't worked with before.

The program ends with an independent capstone project of your own design.

Want more detail on the projects? Email Foundations@MakeHaven.org.

What you'll learn

Foundations teaches the skills that carry from one project to the next, even when the materials, tools, and processes change. You'll learn how to:

• Turn an idea into a workable design
• Break a project into steps and plan an order of operations
• Measure accurately and understand fit, tolerance, and how parts work together
• Compare materials and fabrication processes and choose between different ways of making something
• Use drawings, sketches, computer-aided design, prototypes, and other tools to develop and communicate a design
• Work safely and effectively with a range of fabrication tools and materials
• Test an idea before committing to the whole build
• Recognize when something isn't working, figure out why, and adjust your approach
• Approach an unfamiliar tool, material, or process by figuring out what you need to learn and where to find the right information or instruction
• Combine different materials and processes into a finished project
• Carry a project through from idea to completion

Program details

• Duration: 16 weeks
• Schedule: Two evenings a week: one teaching session and one session of shop hours
• Cohort size: Up to 15 people
• Experience: None required
• Cost: $2,650
• Materials: Basic materials for every project except your capstone are included in the cost
• MakeHaven membership: Required during the program and paid separately; it includes open shop access beyond class hours. See membership options
• Where: MakeHaven, 770 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT

Sliding-scale pricing is available on a limited basis for the program and for membership. If cost is a barrier, email Foundations@MakeHaven.org. 

Looking to learn your way around MakeHaven?

GEMS is our introductory program for exploring MakeHaven, trying different shops and tools, earning badges, and getting comfortable using the space.

Foundations has a different focus: learning the process of making and building the confidence to take your own ideas from concept through completion.

Neither program is a prerequisite for the other.

Learn more about GEMS

Go from curious to capable.

Follow this program below and you will get one email when the next cohort is announced.

Still have questions? Email us at Foundations@MakeHaven.org