”This experience has sparked many ideas for new projects and improvements to existing ones. It has truly resonated with my creative spirit. There is no doubt that this experience will help me grow and open new horizons in my design and craft practice.”
Maïa Aujoulat
Hello, my name is Maïa Aujoulat, and I am a student at Jean Monnet University in France.
I am currently in the second year of my master’s degree ; a pivotal stage, as it is when I will gain the most hands-on experience through an internship. Determined to make the most of this invaluable opportunity, I wanted to do something truly special.
During my studies, I had the chance to participate in the MOSAIC project, a European initiative bringing together partners from across Europe and beyond. This project focuses on mastering job-oriented skills in arts and crafts through inclusive centers of vocational excellence.
Its main objectives are:
To increase and improve collaboration between companies and VET centres, to reach a state of mutual fertilisation
To improve VET provision by delivering new training modules
To foster internationalisation and transnational strategies in response to the evolutions of VET and society
To provide forward-looking VET through the use of digital methodologies and tools.
This internship aligns itself with the goals of internationalization and transnational strategies, as it represents an international mobility experience. For me, this meant discovering new horizons, immersing myself in a different culture, and learning new methods and techniques. Upon arriving in Finland at the beginning of February, the first thing that struck me was, of course, the weather! Despite the freezing temperatures, I was eager to explore Helsinki and Espoo. I tried local activities, finding the sauna and ice bathing particularly invigorating. I also had the incredible opportunity to visit Tampere and witness the aurora borealis. Beyond these unforgettable experiences, the internship allowed me to improve my English and learn some Finnish, both of which are essential for effective communication. Most importantly, I discovered 3D printing ; a technique that also helped me practice my 3D modeling skills on a new software. In my point of view, 3D printing opens up a world of possibilities for my future projects. Being able to experiment with it will undoubtedly transform my creative and design process, especially during the prototyping phase.
The main goal of this internship was to explore the world of makerspaces and other shared creative environments. I was particularly curious to see how these spaces could democratize the design and creative process. OMNIA Makerspace, which is open to everyone and completely free, is a prime example. Through this internship, I had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of supervisors and users of those spaces, providing a strong foundation for understanding their impact on creativity.
At the same time, as I mentioned earlier, I learned an entirely new technique : 3D printing. I discovered that there are two types of printers : resin and filament ; each suited to different purposes. Filament printers are excellent for producing large, sturdy pieces, while resin printers offer exceptional print quality and fine detail, although this can makethe overall structure more fragile. I also had the chance to help Siim set up a new printer, which gave me insight into the technical aspects and troubleshooting.
I gained valuable experience by assisting Amy Cheung, an artist in residency at HIAP on Suomenlinna Island. She came to print a prototype of her project : a one-meter-long lion, divided into eleven parts. This collaboration taught me how angles affect the printing process and how to adjust settings for the cleanest possible result.
Watching such a large print come to life piece by piece was amazing, although ensuring perfect alignment was the most challenging part. Overall, it was a pleasure to help Amy with this project.
Experimenting with 3D printing for mold-making
A significant part of my time at the makerspace was dedicated to experimenting with 3D printing for mold-making. I started by creating a two-part mold to make a plaster object. We chose plaster for its affordability and suitability for this type of molding. My first attempt was a small flowerpot, and Siim also made a two-part mold for an owl sculpture. Throughout this experimental phase, we kept these two designs consistent to better identify areas for improvement.
The experimentation is still ongoing, but for now, I have settled on a three-part mold for the flowerpot, allowing the hollow section to be easily created and removed using an insert. I tested different mold types and openings to determine which were easiest to remove ; which largely depends on the flowerpot’s overall design and details. The details remain tricky, as they can break during the unmolding process. Therefore, the main focus now is achieving clean, precise details.
Resin printing
The owl sculpture, on the other hand, no longer faces this issue, as we switched to a one-part mold using the resin printer. This mold is essentially a thin shell that can be filled with plaster to create the sculpture. It preserves fine details and is easy to remove, but it is singleuse, as it is destroyed during the unmolding process. Fortunately, the shell is only half a millimeter thick, minimizing material waste.
The next phase of my experimentation involves testing whether plants can grow on the plaster sculptures. To this end, we drilled holes in one of the plaster owls, planted seeds, and are diligently watering them every day. This experimental phase is far from over, but we have already made significant improvements.
Final thoughts
Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who made this internship so special. First, I thank OMNIA, Jean Monnet University, and the MOSAIC project for this amazing opportunity to complete my internship abroad. I also extend my thanks to Christophe Bardin, Eva Librán-Pérez, and Elina Kollanus, who managed the international mobility, supported me throughout this journey, and provided invaluable guidance. Last but not least, I am immensely grateful to Siim-Eigo Saar, my internship supervisor, for making all of this possible. He taught me numerous skills, supported and helped me in countless ways, and welcomed me into this space with great warmth. Thanks to him, this internship was not only educational and professional but, most importantly, truly enjoyable.
