53-772 Modern Making - How to Make (Almost) Anything

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Have you ever wanted to bring your digital ideas into the physical world—to make something you can touch, press, or wear? Have you ever wanted to make your own robot, musical instrument, or motion-sensing art piece—but you weren't sure where to begin? Soldering, 3D printing, AI, laser-cutting, microcontrollers, and more: these are the foundational tools and techniques used to prototype interactive physical systems. Combining physical fabrication, electronics, and some modern AI tools, this hands-on prototyping course will teach all the core skills needed to build an MVP of (almost) anything. Students will learn how to design, fabricate, and assemble custom hardware while developing an understanding of inputs, outputs, and embedded control. The course also introduces contemporary prototyping workflows, including the use of AI-assisted coding and design tools to accelerate development. By the end of the course, students will propose and build an interactive system that bridges the digital and physical worlds.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.