This exhibition charted a short history of the evolution of digital fabrication implementation in teaching at CACE, Zayed University.

At Zayed university, design teaching is interdisciplinary and commonly implemented as a linear-sequential pedagogical approach with limitations, specially, on very junior design and non-design orientated students.

‘Making’ has always been a central part in their design teaching. It is the way they teach to think, synthesize a problem and visualize a 3D space. Yet historically, design has slowly been separated from production, with architects making ‘building representations’ rather than having a closer role on the construction of buildings. The rise of digital design and prototyping technologies has altered the traditional designer role, shuffled the design process order and opened new frontiers with a communal interdisciplinary approach.

(CACE) works hard at making sure the graduates are prepared as they enter the creative industry in the UAE to be active contributors of this growing economy.

The exhibition charted the introduction of digital manufacturing in design education at CACE. The exhibition spans over a 8 years trajectory. There was an opportunity to have discussions at the venue with some alumni and faculty engaging with the community and design industry.

The exhibition illustrated the dynamic and progressive approach that CACE has towards design in general, specifically using digital manufacturing and collaborations within the industry and the community as a place of active immersive learning and digital fabrication.

About The College of Arts and Creative Enterprises

The College of Arts and Creative Enterprises educates graduates to become leaders and innovators in the field of art and design practice who will contribute significantly to the cultural fabric of the UAE. Our intensive and rigorous art, design, new media and exhibition programmes are practice based and industry engaged. Our faculty and staff utilize the latest teaching methodologies, underpinned by cutting-edge technology and an innovative learning environment, to inspire a new generation of creative thinkers. Art and design are major contributors to a nation’s creative economy and in the establishment of a global identity, they are a country’s greatest export.