MakerMinds, ARL and MRL
MakerMinds is an open library space of technology resources, material resources and an accompanying event series. MakerMinds Events is a series of DIY tech workshops held in the adjacent open area. For more information on upcoming events in the series, please visit our research guide. The space also contains the Art Resources Lab (ARL) and the Materials Resource Lab (MRL).
The Art Resources Lab (ARL) is a self-service lab available to all students at FIT and provides space for artwork enlargement, projection,
and documentation of artwork by photography.
The lab itself, the equipment setup there, as well as equipment available for check
out is for students to use as a self-service space. There is no dedicated staff available
for assistance - written instructions are available in the Art Resources Lab, and
tutorials for equipment can be found on the Tutorials, How-To's and Procedures pages.
- The space cannot be reserved, it is operating on a first come, first serve basis
- The MakerMinds is a shared space where students can come and go to work and use the equipment
The Materials Resource Lab (MRL) provides a creative, open access environment for you to explore Interior Design material samples that you can use on your projects. The materials range from commercial and residential upholstery fabric swatches to paint chips, wood finishes and solid surfaces and much more.
Contact Us
Goodman Resource Center
Gladys Marcus Library, 6th floor, Room E620, Library Commons
[email protected]
Equipment Set Up in the Art Resources Lab
Follow the links to tutorials for most of the items listed
Copy Stand Tutorial
Copy Stand provides a great way to photograph 2d (flat) oversized art work, in addition
it can be used as a tool for stop animation.
Large Paper Trimmers Tutorial
Primary use of these trimmers is intended for large photography prints, cardstock,
printer/copy paper. Up to but no more than 10 sheets of regular copy paper.
Light Tables Tutorial
Light tables are viewing devices that use an evenly distributed florescent lighting
to review photographic film or artwork placed on top of it. There are several of them
available.
Artograph Prism Tutorial
A tabletop opaque projector for horizontal projection of artwork, designs, patterns,
prints and line drawings. The lens is reversible to achieve a wide projection range
from 80% reduction up to 20 times enlargement in full color. Magnetic door latches
and a spring clip keeps your image securely in place.
Stop-motion Animation Software Tutorial
Dragonframe 4 is a Stop-motion animation software, paired with a specialized keypad
- quick and simple to use.
Photography Lighting Tutorial
Check out the tutorial for a correct setup for artwork documentation: The tripod is
perpendicular to the wall; the lights, outfitted with diffuser umbrellas, are facing
the wall at a 45° angle in relation to the object and wall.
Overhead Projector Tutorial
You can project digital work via overhead projector onto the back wall of the MakerMinds
space using the retractable projection screen.
MyStudio Product Photography Kit Tutorial
The MyStudio MS32 is a desktop studio for product photography, take a look at the
guide for taking the best quality photos.
Wacom Cintiq Tablet Tutorial
Several Wacom Cintiq digital drawing pen & touch displays are available. Cintiq pens
can be checked-out with your FIT ID card at the service desk on the 5th floor.
Equipment for Check-Out at Library Services Desk
Check out from the Library Services Desk on the 5th floor of the Library. All equipment is library use only and must be returned prior to closing. See here for more details and library hours.
FIT ID card required.
Diffuser Umbrellas for Photography
Bogen Tripod
Savage Studio Lighting System
Circular Reflectors
Artograph Impression 1400 Tutorial
The Artograph Impression 1400 is a portable digital projector that can be used for
displaying digital images for enlargement or tracing.
Cintiq Pen Stylus
Three Wacom Cintiq digital pen & touch displays are located in the MakerMinds space
on the 6th fl. of the Library
Xuma Phone Mount
Arduino LilyPad LibGuide Tutorial
Learn about the LilyPad wearable microcontrollers and how to program them in Arduino
Makey Makey
Makey Makey works through opening and closing circuits, just like any other button.
Instead of the circuit being closed underneath your keyboard, the circuit is closed
through the conductive objects you connect with alligator clips like your hand or
your lunch or some tinfoil. When the circuit is closed, the Makey Makey sends a command
to your computer, just like a button pressed on a keyboard.
Online documentation.
Lilypad Protosnap Development Board
The ProtoSnap LilyPad Development Board is designed to get you started in the world
of e-textiles. Combining a LilyPad Simple Board with other LilyPad components like
a buzzer, a vibration motor, an RGB LED, a button, a switch, five LEDs, a light sensor,
and a temperature sensor, the ProtoSnap LilyPad Development Board lets you dive right
into wearable electronics. For prototyping only.
Online documentation.
Adafruit Circuit Playground Express
The Circuit Playground Express is an etextile-friendly prototyping board designed
for MakeCode and CircuitPython,which includes an assortment of functionality built-in.
For prototyping only.
MakerMinds Rules and Policies
The following rules must be followed while you are using the space:
- No food or drink is allowed in the Lab.
- The Art Resources Lab is a priority use space for photography, enlargement, tracing and other uses unique to this space. All other uses are subject to displacement so that these activities can be conducted by students in the lab.
- All equipment must be turned off, and any checked out equipment returned to the Library Services desk after use. Please do not leave the light tables and projectors ON after you are done - turn them off!
- You are expected to clean up after yourself. This is a shared space and needs to be maintained by its patrons.
General Policies for Checkout
By using our equipment you are financially responsible for all equipment checked out from the library that is damaged, lost, etc.
Loan Period – Maximum of 4 hours. All items are due ONE HOUR before the library closes.
Fines – $10.00 per hour for each hour overdue, plus $50.00 each overnight if not returned by closing time.
Replacement Cost – The cost of each item plus a $20.00 processing fee per item.