Our Spaces

The Shapiro Design Lab consists of three spaces, all on the first floor of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library:

PIE Space

Our PIE Space (Prototype-Inspire-Explore) is an open work area that features prototyping tools, whiteboard, and other writable surfaces, a Design Library, large-screen collaboration hub, and the Design-o-Matic 4000 Links to an external site., our repurposed vending machine that dispenses free art and information. 

As an openly accessible but partitioned space, the PIE Space is ideal for class meetings or club events and can be reserved by emailing shapirodesignlab@umich.edu.

Any time it is not reserved for an event, it serves as an open space for solo studying, group work, or other collaborations.

Media Production Rooms

The Shapiro Design Lab Media Production Rooms offer high-quality media production and post-production software and equipment.

• The Winberg Audio Production Room Links to an external site. is designed for audio and video production, including screencasting and web conferences.
• The Perlstein Editing Room Links to an external site. is designed for audio production and media post-production, but can also be used for game design, animation, data visualization, and graphic design.
• The Video Production Room Links to an external site. is designed for simple bring your own device video recording with tabletop or wireless microphones. 

Use of these spaces requires completion of the Media Production Rooms module on this Canvas site.

Workshop

The Workshop is our hands-on learning and making space. It features:

• 3D printers
• Soldering
• Typewriters
• a 19th Century letterpress courtesy of Wolverine Press  Links to an external site.
• Vinyl Cutting
• Sewing Machine
• Laser Cutting and Engraving
• and more...

There is no material cost to use the equipment, but you should be prepared to document your project and share it with the Design Lab community in a brief post for our blog, Lab Notes Links to an external site..

Each Workshop Station has an accompanying module on this Canvas site, the successful completion of which enables you to reserve that station for your own personal use. 

During the academic year, the Design Lab also holds open workshop hours, individual consultations, and events to provide more of a guided introduction to the spaces.