Middletown TEC Lab Makerspace: Digital Design Suite
Overview
The Digital Design Suite provides a quiet place for you to create and manipulate digital objects. From recording audio, to editing a video, or adjusting an image, our space and equipment is available for you! To reserve the room, please use our Reserve a Study Room link and choose Room 130 - Digital Design Suite. You may also check out the room without a reservation at our Library InfoDesk. We are happy to help you use our software and equipment for any project you have in mind.
Affinity - Designer, Photo, & Publisher
We have installed the Affinity suite of software on the computer nearest the door in the Digital Design Suite. The apps are:
- Designer - "This vector graphics software can be used to create digital illustrations, concept art, unique graphics, logos, brand designs, web mock-ups and so much more." Compatible with Adobe Illustrator. Here are some tutorials and support material.
- Photo - "This software has everything you need to edit and retouch images, create multi-layered compositions, beautiful raster paintings and so much more." Compatible with Adobe Photoshop. Here are some tutorials and support material.
- Publisher - "The next generation of professional page layout software. From books, magazines and marketing materials to social media templates, website mock-ups and more, this incredibly smooth, intuitive app gives you the power to combine your images, graphics and text to make beautiful layouts ready for publication." Compatible with Adobe InDesign. Here are some tutorials and support material.
Audacity
Audacity is a free piece of software that you can use to make audio recordings or edit audio files. It is installed on the computer nearest the door in the DDS. We have a Blue Yeti microphone and headphones set up on that computer for you to record and review your recordings.
Document and Photo Scanning
We have a ScanSnap Pro scanner attached to the computer close to the door that you can use for scanning documents, photos, books, and other items.
GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
GIMP is a free but powerful piece of software that can help you work with images. It is installed on the computer nearest the door in the DDS.
OpenShot Video Editor
OpenShot Video Editor is a free video editor that can accomplish a variety of editing tasks for you. It is installed on the computer nearest the door in the DDS.
Podcast Recording Kit
If you've considered making a podcast, or maybe just doing some interviews or other audio recording, the Podcast Recording Kit is for you! The kit can be checked out for use anywhere, or used in the Digital Design Suite. The kit, a Rode RODECaster Pro Podcast Production Studio Bundle, includes:
- The RODECaster Pro recording device with room for four microphones, automatic level setting, and one touch recording
- Two Rode PodMic Cardioid Dynamic Broadcast Microphones, with stands
- Two Knox Gear Studio Monitor Headphones
- All the cables you'll need
Contact our library if you have any questions about reserving or using it.
VHS and DVD conversion to digital files
In the Digital Design Suite we have a VCR/DVD player combo unit (and a separate DVD player) that you can use, with the software installed on the computer, to digitize personal VHS tape and DVD content that you have into MP4 files. It's a great way to convert personal recordings into a format that can be used more widely.
Have a suggestion for the Digital Design Suite?
If there is equipment or software you'd like to recommend for the Digital Design Suite, or anything you'd like to be able to work on that we need to add, let us know!