Digital Ecologies

Digital technology has permeated the field of architecture and design. At the same time, we face urgent challenges in our consumption of energy and materials that require impactful solutions. The Digital Ecologies Certificate program positions students to leverage technology with computational design thinking to make a positive impact, emphasizing the potential for improvement in the way we utilize resources. Within the 15-credit program, students are encouraged to propose scalable solutions through digital manufacturing, material experimentation and modes of automation. The approach to digital technology prioritizes the contextual elements of materials, geography and sites of human expertise while introducing students to a fundamental skill set in the usage of software, digital fabrication and materials. In addition to digital technology skills, the certificate program positions students for problem solving through design research surrounding the following topics:

• Digital manufacturing and automation
• Materials and physical prototyping
• Human-machine collaboration
• Contextual elements of digital design
• Design research in digital technology