The Shapiro Design Lab seeks undergraduates to be Design Lab Interns. Interns will help run the Lab on a day-to-day basis, participating in the broader learning communities of the Lab, and take on leadership roles to help grow the Lab with their own ideas and passions.
The University of Michigan Library's Shapiro Design Lab is an ever-evolving experimental space founded on peer learning, engaged learning, and interdisciplinarity. It encompasses three different spaces, all on the first floor of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library:
- PIE Space (Prototype | Inspire | Explore), an open space that features a Prototyping Cart, whitebaords, Design Library, large screens and sound dome, and a repurposed vending machine, the Design-o-Matic 4000.
- Media Production Rooms,which can be used for audio/video production, CAD, and graphic design
- Workshop, which has a number of "making" tools (letterpress, vinyl cutter, soldering stations, 3D printers).
This year, the Lab's work will focus on three overall themes: Citizen Lab, which will support civic tech and citizen science projects here on campus and in conjunction with communities within and beyond Ann Arbor; Game Lab, which will serve as a hub for game developers, designers, and scholars on Central Campus, in conjunction with the Computer Video Game Archive on North campus; and Library Lab, which will experiment with tools, services, and applications for the Library itself.
The primary responsibilities of Design Lab Interns are the following:
- Day-to-Day maintenance of the Design Lab
- Cleaning and organizing of Lab spaces
- Checking equipment and performing basic maintenance (training will be provided)
- Staffing Open Lab in the Workshop
- Project consultations and equipment help for Lab community members
- Orientations for the Media Production Rooms and Workshop
- Leadership in an area of the Lab (maintaining the Workshop, marketing and communications, etc) developed in conjunction with the Director and other Design Lab staff
- Exploring and developing your own interests and talents as part of the learning community
- Attend at least three workshops offered through the Design lab and other campus partners. Interns are encouraged to explain in their application areas they’d like to learn more about, as well as share their own expertise with the Design Lab.
Interns must demonstrate:
- Dependability and timely communication
- Ability and desire to work both collaboratively and cooperatively in the service of building a learning community in the Lab
- Interest in collaborating with individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints
- Interest in interdisciplinary scholarship and/or creative research
- Schedule availability to work 3-4 hour shifts at a time
We are particularly interested in students with a background or interest in the following areas:
- Digital media production (especially audio and video)
- Design processes
- Game design and development
- Open hardware (Raspberry Pi, Arduino, etc)
- Graphic design and animation
- Building and maintaining 3D printers
Interns will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week, at a pay rate of $13/hour. Ample training opportunities will be provided, both informally with colleagues in the Design Lab and formally through workshops and classes from different parts of the University.
To apply, please complete the following:
1) Fill out the online application.
2) Send a resume and availability for work in the Fall to shapirodesignlab@umich.edu.
Applications will be accepted until September 15.
If you have any questions about the position or application, do not hesitate to email shapirodesignlab@umich.edu.