MASTER COURSE IN PARAMETRIC DESIGN - 380H
XVIII Edition Autumn 2023
A unique study program adapted to this new situation and challenging word. It is the chance to introduce you in the world of Computational Design, state-of-the-art field for Product Design, Architecture, Landscape, Engineering, Digital Fabrication… through the creation of physical and digital parametric models using as main tools Grasshopper for Rhino and our CNC machines (Computer Numerical Control).
Grasshopper is a free graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modeling tools. Unlike RhinoScript, Grasshopper requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, but still allows designers to build form generators from the simple to the awe-inspiring. It is used at most famous architecture offices like Zaha Hadid or Norman Foster, as engineering teams as the one of Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), one of the most technological advanced buildings in the world. We will have the best available tutors and instructors for every unit, all of them with university teaching experience.
Aimed to professionals and students from the world of architecture, industrial / car / product / structural / engineering design…. and anyone interested in learning and using of parametric tools.
Below, you can download some works from past editions (hybrid online editions)
PROGRAM
The course is divided in two parts. The student can take just the first part (only available online this option) or the full course (Part I and II), which could be online or onsite.
PART I, 243 hours (online or onsite ):
- _UNIT 1: RHINO3d (NURBS, meshes, SubD)
- _UNIT 2: GRASSHOPPER basics
- _UNIT 3: GRASSHOPPER advanced (organic design, artificial intelligence, structural analysis with Karamba3d, form-finding with Kangaroo, optimization processes)
- _UNIT 4: PYTHON for RHINO and GRASSHOPPER (introduction to the most popular programming language)
- _UNIT 5: VISUALIZATION
- _UNIT 6: PERSONAL PROJECT (individual work based on the previous units)
PART II DIGITAL FABRICATION , optional, 137 hours (online or onsite, in case you register at the full course):
- _UNIT A: 3D PRINTING + ROBOTS
- _UNIT B: LASER CNC
- _UNIT C: MILLING CNC
- _UNIT D: PERSONAL PROJECT (individual work based on the previous units)
The full course includes:
- _380 hours training (Training languaje: English)
- _Visits to Digital Fabrication centers, like Lowpoly (Madrid) or Nagami (Ávila)
- _Option to purchase a license of Rhino student version, (for Mac and Windows, much cheaper but same as the professional version and it does not expire)
- _Basic material for prototyping (MDF, foam, clay, PLA, ABS, etc.)
At the end of the course the student will be awarded a diploma certifying the course attendance and completion of main tasks, plug-ins and add-ons taught. This diploma is certified by Controlmad, ARTC and Official Rhino FabStudio (Spain), and Rhino FabStudio (McNeel Miami).
PART I: Certificate of Master course in Parametric Design
FULL COURSE: Certificate of Master course in Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication.
We share with our current students and alumni job opportunities and internships at companies which demand this kind of specialization in parametric design.
We are working to link important firms in different fields for open positions and internships available. For example, we have recently reached an agreement with INASUS, a leader company in the design and manufacturing of façades with offices in Spain and UK.
EUMADA, a specialist building engineering consultancy firm with presence in the Middle East, the UK and Spain.
DOSIS a Spanish laboratory of creative processes that is committed to pushing the boundaries of the built environment with innovative architectural solutions.
LOWPOLY offers a comprehensive design service specialized in digital manufacturing and innovation, adapting to the needs of each client. They care about recycling and reusing manufacturing scraps as a printing material for their product line.
INSTRUCTORS, LECTURERS AND VISITS
- Sergio Alonso del Campo, Controlmad (Spain)
- Diego García Cuevas, co-author of the book Advanced 3D printing with Grasshopper – Controlmad (Spain)
- Arturo Tedeschi. Form-finding expert. Author of the book AAD. A>T Office (Milan, Italy)
- Matthew Tam / Adam Orlinski. Structural analysis experts. Karamba Developers. (Vienna, Austria)
- Heba Eiz, Assistant researcher group CODE, Zaha Hadid, (London, UK)
- Andrés González. Mc Neel Miami. RhinoFabStudio world-wide director (Miami, USA)
- Aman Agrawal, Creative Mutation (India)
- Francisco Perez. Python. Politechnical School of Madrid UPM (Madrid, Spain)
- Part I: Visit to Barcelona (optional) Sagrada Familia, IaaC and McNeel Europe Headquarters.
- Part II: Visits to Lowpoly (Madrid) and Nagami (Ávila); to be confirmed.
COURSE DETAILS
Instruction Language > English
Dates PART I – October 30, 2023 – January 12, 2024
Dates PART II – January 12 – February 8, 2024
Minimum number of students : 8
Course schedule
Generally, lectures are taken in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday.
- Live sessions and tutor support PART I | 3,30 – 8 pm (Madrid, CET)
- Lectures and tutor support PART II | 3,30 – 8 pm (Madrid, CET)
- Personal student´s work time PART II (Onsite; optional) | 11am – 2,30pm
ENROLLMENT
PART I – online 2300 eur. Special fee until September 30th: 2100 eur
FULL COURSE online 3500 eur. Special fee until September 30th: 3200 eur
FULL COURSE onsite 4950 eur. Special fee until September 30th: 4450 eur
Note: The student can register online for Part I or online/onsite for the full course. If you are interested in onsite training only for Part I or II, please contact us to check availability, although students registered in the full course will have priority.
SCHOLARSHIP
Controlmad offers a scholarship for the full onsite course participants. This scholarship will have a discount of 1000 eur of the enrolment fee.
Any student can apply for this scholarship. If you are interested, we would send you an application form with instructions for the candidates and detailed information.
Application deadline for submission is September 15, 2023 (extended until September 30).
You may book a spot with a deposit of 800 eur and complete the payment during the next 30 days.
Please download and read this registration file for further information and terms.
> Bank transfer. Please, click above button “How to register” for detailed information
> Credit – Debit Card (Secure e-commerce platform Redsys – Stripe)
> Paypal* for spot reservation, using your account or with credit-debit card (Paypal taxes included).
(*) Paypal option is only to make the reservation. If you need to make the full payment with Paypal please contact us. Paypal additional management fees are charged, not included in the enrollment fee.
QUICK FAQ
Do I need previous knowledge of Grasshopper to take the course?
Absolutely not. Basic previous CAD experience (Autocad, Sketchup..) is recommended but you don´t need to know Rhino and/or Grasshopper.
Are sessions recorded?
Sessions are live. To follow the course properly, you should attend. However, if it is not possible due to your time zone or job/study schedule, we will record the sessions, available until Monday of next week.
Can I enrol in PART I first online, and participate in PART II later on?
Yes, in case you continue remotely. For onsite training, if there are spots available. You might need to pay the difference of the PART I fee and the full registration fee currently shown at the web page.
Can I enrol at online PART I and participate in PART II for the next edition?
We do recommend to make the full course together in order to finish your training. (remember PART II is possible to do it online too). Usually, onsite training is full and limited seats are available.
FAQs for onsite training
Looking for accomodation?
Upon registration, we will provide information regarding accomodation, best areas to stay… You can join into a private group of former students that might share information about it. Also, we have an agreement with a local company specialized in helping you to find a place to stay.
Problems with travel restrictions
In case of Force Majeur situations (i.e. it is not allowed to leave your country or go to Spain, like Covid-19 situation), it has to be proven with an official website, document or paper that justifies the reason.
In that case, Controlmad will give you access to lectures and exercises online and check the digital fabrication process with a feedback of the results, including assembling. Besides, the objects may be manufactured with that files at your nearest FabLab (not part of the course fee).
Do you need visa?
It should not be a problem as the length of the course is around 3 months. However, for Non-EU citizens we do strongly recommend to contact the Spanish Embassy and start as soon as possible the paperwork. It may take time depending on each country. Controlmad will provide you all neccesary documents needed to get the visa (letter of invitation, payment invoice…).
We´ve had students from more than 35 countries: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Panama, Peru, Nigeria, Phillipines, India, Russia, Singapur, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, U.S.A. and Venezuela.
MORE QUESTIONS?
Contact us for more info by telephone at (+34) 91 539 33 66 or email us at info@controlmad.com. If you need it, we could set up an online meeting.
