Creative Futures Academy (CFA) and Beta Festival are partnering to present taster sessions of some of their skills-based courses through a series of workshops which will provide participants with hands-on experience.

These sessions will take place in the evening in The Digital Hub on Thomas Street from 6-8pm and provide participants with hands-on skills development. Sessions have limited capacity and are free to attend. Registering for sessions will add you to the CFA newsletter mail list for updates about upcoming courses. Sessions include:

• Intro to Digital Making. Tools for well-being (NCAD)


• Getting Started with Building in the Metaverse (IADT)


• Build a cellular Automaton (IADT)


• Intro to Sustainable Exhibition Making (NCAD)


• Workshop: Research Ethics for Artists (NCAD)


• Basic Electronics to Enhance Your Art and Design Practice (IADT)


• Introduction to UX and UI Design (IADT)


• Mapping Data (IADT)


• Intro to Creature and Character Digital Sculpting (IADT)

Further details below.

Creative Futures Academy is a groundbreaking partnership between three leading creative institutions – the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Institute of Art Design + Technology (IADT) – Creative Futures Academy (CFA) is a new approach to higher education. Across state-of-the-art facilities, CFA offers short, part and full-time accredited courses in flexible, hybrid formats (online and in person) for practising artists and creative professionals looking to upskill in arts, media and design.

• Intro to Digital Making. Tools for well-being (NCAD) - delivered by Adam Gibney
  Saturday 2nd November

In this hands-on digital-making workshop, participants will be tasked with creating quick 3D-printed “tools for well-being”, a series of interventions, for a range of public spaces.

Getting Started with Building in the Metaverse (IADT) - delivered by Rob Griffin and John Buckley
Monday 4th November

Join us for a two-hour interactive workshop delving into the fascinating world of the Metaverse. We'll explore what the Metaverse is, how it’s reshaping digital spaces, and its impact on social, educational, and creative sectors. From virtual worlds to immersive experiences, you’ll gain insights into how the Metaverse works and its potential.

In the second half, you’ll get hands-on as we guide you through creating your own digital presence within a virtual environment. Whether you’re curious or eager to experiment, this workshop offers a fun, practical introduction to the future of digital engagement. Beginners level (no prior experience required) - bring a laptop, your curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm!

Build a cellular Automaton (IADT) - delivered by Joachim Pietsch
Tuesday 5th November

Cellular automatons are systems based on simple rules that evolve over time and generate complex patterns. Participants in this hands-on workshop will get to build/customise their own version of a cellular automatons and be able to control the evolution and visual output of the outcome. Participants are required to bring their laptop with a browser.

Intro to Sustainable Exhibition Making (NCAD) - delivered by Seoidin O'Sullivan, with presentations from Ciara Magee and Shane Malone
Wednesday 6th November

This session will give an outline introduction from artist and art lecturer Seoidín O'Sullivan about Sustainable Exhibition making. A unique course she has designed and leads on with Creative Futures Academy.

Workshop: Research Ethics for Artists (NCAD) - delivered by David Crowley, Rachel O Dwyer, Declan Long and Jye O Sullivan
Wednesday 6th November

The ethical questions raised by the most creative and ambitious forms of contemporary art are expanding almost day by day. The uses of AI, big data, material depletion of our planet, and the effects of our actions on others, including the other-than-human, all call for serious ethical consideration.

Participants in this workshop are invited to join the Research Ethics Board of Beta Festival to review a number of fictional but plausible applications by artists seeking ethics approval. Participants will be given cases to consider in advance before debating their merits in the workshop.

This event is being offered as a taster for a series of courses on Research for Artists and Designers being offered by NCAD and the CFA.

Basic Electronics to Enhance Your Art and Design Practice (IADT) - delivered by Ganesh Ramachandran
Thursday 7th November

There is a myriad of forms in art and design practice, that can evoke mood and aesthetic, explore and manifest theme. Electronics and simple coding are a starting point on that journey of physical incorporation of such elements. The Creative Futures Academy at IADT has successfully run a successful module in Electronics for Arts in recent years, within the Level 8 Professional Practice Certificate. There are plans to expand the electronics area to include design methodology.

This 2 hour workshop will delve into the area of electronics for creativity, examining global installations, illustrating with development and installation projects from past CFA students, give a basic introduction into components and coding, explain the Electronics for Arts module and its planned expansion into design, as well as a questions and answers session from the audience, stimulating discussion on their own art and design journeys, looking at the technical skills they might wish to progress their creative endeavours.

Introduction to UX and UI Design (IADT) - delivered by Stefan Paz Berrios
Friday 8th November

In this workshop, participants will dive into the fundamentals of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, exploring how these elements shape the way we interact with digital products. Through a live demonstration of the design process, attendees will gain insight into key concepts, tools, and techniques used in the industry. We’ll also discuss real-world examples to highlight the impact of thoughtful design on user satisfaction and business success. Whether you’re new to design or looking to refine your skills, this session will provide valuable knowledge and practical tips to enhance your approach to creating engaging, user-centred experiences.

Mapping Data (IADT) - delivered by Cyril Connolly
Wednesday 13th November

This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of mapping data. An open source framework will be introduced allowing participants to create digital interactive maps. No previous knowledge of mapping or open source coding will be required. Participants are welcome to bring along their own laptop to the workshop. We will be showcasing some work using the open source environments R and RStudio. If you plan to bring your own laptop, please ensure that the below are downloaded and ready for use in advance of the workshop commencing.

Intro to Creature and Character Digital Sculpting (IADT) - delivered by Julian King
Thursday 14th November

This workshop will demonstrate the digital sculpting techniques used to create creatures and characters for film FX and games. You will be shown an overview of the process of creature/character creation from sketch concept to finished digital creation. It will also include a guide to good principles for proper mesh preparation for animation and real time game engine use. The presentation will include a basic introduction to texturing and material application to a digital mesh. The workshop will feature a live sculpt demonstration in Maxon ZBrush by IADT lecturer Julian King, and a Q&A afterwards.