Have you ever gotten the idea for a cool project, but with no idea where to start? A blueprint to implement, but no resources to do so? Or maybe a cool desk toy from the internet that’s caught your eye that you want to recreate? Well, look no further than BCIT’s MediaWorks to assist your ailing head.
MediaWorks is BCIT’s multimedia creative space that gives students cheap access to cool tools. Here, students can make projects for both school assignments and personal interest.
The department in Burnaby features 3D printers, 3D scanners, laser-cutters for wood projects, Cricut cardstock and sticker-making, a virtual reality room, a space for podcasting and studio-photography, and a small computer lab with PCs set up for designing your ideas. The consultations are free, but you do have to pay a small fee depending on what you’re making.
Along with the machines and tools, you’ll find an amazing staff that works there. I had the chance to talk to two of the Media Maker Specialists, Alistair Boakes and Scott Watts, and boy do they love what they do.
Alistair has been working in the department for just over two years, while Scott has been in the space since the early 2000s. They both enjoy helping students plan and create their cool projects, citing the satisfaction from making something with your two hands as their favourite part of the process.
“Yeah, what I like is if you make your own design and you’re like, ‘I’m trying to solve this problem.’ That’s almost like inventing.”
Scott Watts, Media Maker Specialist
“They’re always thrilled with what we can do for them. And they’re always thrilled when we show them possibilities and ways that we can sort of help them enhance their experiences here at BCIT.”
Alistair Boakes, Media Maker Specialist
In his free time, Alistair enjoys using his graphic designer background to sketch out technical parts, like for engines or machines. Scott, meanwhile, likes to keep an eye out for any useful 3D prints that can be used in his daily life.
The first thing that Scott 3D printed was a part for his blinds. There was a piece of wood at the top that fell off due to a small plastic bracket. He had tried using tape to keep it up for a while, but eventually took matters into his own hands and designed a new bracket.
“There’s 3D printing, and then there’s 3D printing a design that you came up with that you made from scratch. That is a good feeling … because it’s real, something comes out of it … I designed this; this is gonna help me.” – Scott Watts, Media Maker Specialist
Alistair’s favourite part about working in the space is talking with the students about their designs.
“It’s just great to see the students just light up when they get some funky model when we talk to them about what the possibilities are. We talk to them about how you can do things such as printing in place … And to see that you can create something like that without having to do any kind of assembly, that’s really fun.” – Alistair Boates, Media Maker Specialist
Students have come in with a host of designs and ideas. From 3D-printed Notre Dame Cathedrals the size of your finger to small levers for dialysis machines, they’ve seen some cool stuff.
One of their favourite projects that came in was this one group of engineering students who were trying to convert a motorcycle from gas powered to electric.
“They needed a whole bunch of quite large components to help hold all the electrical pieces in place in the frame and everything. And they were very jazzed about what they were doing, and they needed our help to build these parts. And yeah, that was super rewarding,” says Alistair.
Overall, the two really like helping people with their projects. Even if you don’t have an idea in mind, just being in the space and having a small tour will be enough to get your creative gears moving.
Now that you know the creative power behind MediaWorks, why not come in? The Burnaby location can be found inside the library on the first floor. Simply walk past the librarian’s desk and into the main floor library, then take a sharp right. You’ll see a lovely set of doors at the end of the room labelled ‘MediaWorks’. Their hours are 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Even though they might look busy at their desks, feel free to come on in and ask some questions! Alistair and Scott love chatting about the different things that you can make, or about the silly 3D builds that they’ve tested.
For a complete collection of their equipment, services, and price list, look up ‘MediaWorks’ on bcit.ca, or google ‘Mediaworks at BCIT’.
