Make a Lamp: Lighting Design and Woodworking

About the Course

Combining woodworking and electronics, learn how to create a lamp for your home.

Lighting is an exciting product category, with the opportunity to play with color, shadow, and form. In this series, working through a pre-designed object, you will learn the basics of wiring LED lights to play with the RGB color spectrum. You will also learn some fundamental woodworking machines and processes, as well as gain knowledge of different techniques to bend wood for organic shapes. By the end, you will have fabricated your own unique and playful desktop light fixture, and have the base skills and machine knowledge to tackle some more advanced wood joinery and construction.

Note: All materials are included in the price. Some independent work, outside of class sessions, is expected.

NextFab’s Maker Series is a two-month program that gives you up to 5 classes, unlimited shop access, and a cohort to learn alongside. This Maker Series is currently closed. To be the first to know when our next series opens for enrollment, fill out the Maker Series Interest Form here.

Q. What is included in the Maker Series package?

A. Registration in a Maker Series grants you:

• The scheduled classes and training to complete the selected project (over $600 of class instruction)
• 2 months of active NextFab Membership, starting on the first class date (over $400 value)
• Adobe at Home Access ($120 value over 2 months!)
• Special member pricing to continue membership beyond the 2 months: $149/month (over 30% discount from standard membership)
• A cohort of peers, new skills and confidence gained, and a sense of community within the Philadelphia creative ecosystem (priceless value!)

Q: Is the Maker Series right for me? I have ZERO experience!

A: Yes! The Maker Series programming was developed with the true beginner in mind. In six weeks, you could go from zero experience to confidently navigating an active studio and future projects.

Not only is NextFab’s Maker Series designed to teach you how to use the most common equipment within the area of your program, but also how to think about design when creating something from scratch. Knowing how to follow a blueprint or plan is incredibly valuable, but designing your own project plans is what will differentiate you from the hobbyist who is “just winging it.”

Q: If I am a previous member of NextFab, can I join the Maker Series?

A: Absolutely! If you are a previous member and looking to complete the class project or get a major refresh of skills you haven’t used for a while, the Maker Series is a perfect way to get your feet wet again.

Q: I have a schedule conflict with one of the class dates. Can I make it up?

A: Yes. The Maker Series package accounts for one (1) makeup class date per student at no additional cost. Advance notice/active communication with your instructor is required to coordinate when you can make up the lesson before the next scheduled class date. Subsequent absences from the pre-scheduled classes will incur an educational fee of $60/hr to make up the material.

Q: Should I join the Maker Series or join as a regular member and take classes?

A: This depends on your goals. If you are feeling inspired and want to learn new skills but don’t have a particular project in mind, the Maker Series is perfectly suited to get your feet wet and help you find your way in the craft.

If you have a particular project in mind and want to learn all the skills needed and complete your specific project, Monthly Ultimate membership ($319/mo) is your golden ticket. Ultimate membership comes with $200 of class credits monthly, so you can get started taking the classes you need, on your schedule. You can even book Private Training sessions with those credits if you need hands-on help completing your project.

• Day One: Electronics Orientation
  • Electronics department introduction, analyze project components and circuit concepts and finish by practicing soldering.
• Day Two: Group Session: Wiring Demo and Soldering
  • Implementation of Soldering Skills, Protoboard planning and preparation, trimming and insulating wires, and circuit diagnosis.
• Day Three: Woodshop Orientation and Table Saw I
  • Cut down pieces of pre-milled wood for the lamp base, drill holes for electrical components, and assemble with dowels and pocket screws.
  • Wood Orientation Article
  • Table Saw I Article
  • TS and MS Blades Article
  • How to Avoid Kickback article. 
• Day Four: Wood Lamination I
  • Discuss various bending techniques, mold, and material types, and complete a lamination glue-up.
  • Wood Laminating article
• Day Five: Group Session: Assembly 
  

What’s Next:

• Finish-coat the lamp or embellish it as you desire!
• Take Wood Milling I or Router Table I to gain more certifications in the Woodshop
• Take Circuits I to expand your electronics knowledge
• Move towards your next project to take advantage of the remainder of your 3-month membership promotion, try the Wooden Plant Stand project