Abigail Heuss, associate professor of art, said using a three-dimensional printer and scanner in her jewelry and metalsmithing courses can increase access for students with mobility difficulties. If a student has a hard time working on the small, intricate scale the courses require, he or she could build a larger model out of clay or plaster, scan it, shrink it down on the computer, print it out, then cast it in silver or bronze.

Familiarity with such technology is also in high demand in professional art careers, Heuss said.

“Five years ago, when I was applying for jobs, which ultimately led me to VSU, every single school that I was speaking with was asking, ‘What do you know about technology? What do you know about three-dimensional printing?” Heuss said. “And I had to say nothing. Our students, as they leave here and apply to jobs or graduate schools, will be able to show in their portfolios examples of how they’ve been doing that.”

Abigail Heuss, associate professor of art, said using a three-dimensional printer and scanner in her jewelry and metalsmithing courses can increase access for students with mobility difficulties. If a student has a hard time working on the small, intricate scale the courses require, he or she could build a larger model out of clay or plaster, scan it, shrink it down on the computer, print it out, then cast it in silver or bronze.

Familiarity with such technology is also in high demand in professional art careers, Heuss said.

“Five years ago, when I was applying for jobs, which ultimately led me to VSU, every single school that I was speaking with was asking, ‘What do you know about technology? What do you know about three-dimensional printing?” Heuss said. “And I had to say nothing. Our students, as they leave here and apply to jobs or graduate schools, will be able to show in their portfolios examples of how they’ve been doing that.”