The 21-year-old fashion design student from Lodz University of Technology in Poland talks about her experiences in the Makerspace, new creative impulses, and the courage to trust herself.

Monika Maciąg, you are 21 years old and in your fourth year of studies at Lodz University of Technology in Poland. What new skills or insights have you gained in the Makerspace, perhaps even beyond the technical aspects?

Monika Maciąg: I learned so much! In addition to the technical skills, it was incredibly inspiring to work with experts from different design fields. It was particularly enriching to observe the work of the other students and to talk about their creative processes. Everyone has their own vision, and learning about their approaches motivated me to experiment more myself and try new things.

Was there a specific moment when you thought, “This is an ‘aha’ moment” or “This is a truly innovative approach”?

Monika Maciąg: Actually, there were many such moments, almost every day. I was greatly inspired by the work of the experts who supported us, but also by the other students. Before the Makerspace, I had never worked with 3D printing, and that opened up a completely new approach for me. Texturing, designing, and animating in CLO3D was also a challenge at first, but I made enormous progress. I also worked a little with knitting and embroidery and definitely want to develop these skills further.

Did you make new contacts with other students or universities through the Makerspace?

Monika Maciąg: Absolutely! I find the artistic environment to be very open. I was thrilled to meet new people and met some great people with whom I am still in contact today. We had so much fun during the workshops – that made the whole experience even more valuable.

What was the biggest personal challenge for you while working in the Makerspace, and how did you overcome it?

Monika Maciąg: Definitely my self-confidence. The work of the others was impressive, and their approaches differed greatly from mine. After the first day, I felt overwhelmed and began to doubt whether my project was good enough. Over time, I came to understand that each of us works differently and has our own strengths. Through exchanging ideas with the other students, I felt increasingly confident and became more and more inspired instead of intimidated.

What specific insights or results did you gain from working on your avatar or outfit?

Monika Maciąg: Adding textures and seams to my digital garment changed everything. Before, it looked flat, more like a sculpture than a real piece of clothing. After investing more time, it looked almost exactly like my physical version. That was a great feeling!

Was there a moment that positively surprised or particularly inspired you?

Monika Maciąg: Yes, definitely! I had never thought about textures before. In CLO3D, I had only ever used the pre-made options. Now that I understand this function better, I want to develop my own textures – that opens up completely new design possibilities.

Which technical tools did you work with the most – and what did you learn from them?

Monika Maciąg: I mainly focused on 3D printing and CLO3D. Initially, I thought it was all very complicated, but with some patience and help, I realized that it’s not that difficult at all. Before the Makerspace, I knew almost nothing about CLO3D or preparing files for printing. Now I feel much more confident and want to delve deeper into both areas.

What result of your work in the Makerspace are you particularly proud of?

Monika Maciąg: Definitely my CLO3D file. It changed incredibly during the workshops. After working on the textures and realistic details and adding seams, it looked exactly as I had imagined – perfect in my eyes. I’m also particularly proud of the skirt I sewed in Schneeberg. When I compared it to the digital version, they were almost identical. That was a real moment of success for me.

How do you want to continue after the Makerspace?

Monika Maciąg: I’m currently in the last semester of my bachelor’s degree and am focusing on my final collection. After that, I want to do a master’s degree abroad. One of the reasons I participated in the Makerspace was to meet people from other universities and find out which fields of study particularly interest me.

Are there any ideas or projects you’d like to develop further, whether for the Holo-Show or other areas?

Monika Maciąg: Yes, I want to further develop my digital design skills. CLO3D has great potential for me, and after the Makerspace, I’m really enjoying using the program. I was also fascinated by 3D printing and want to learn how to better combine fashion and 3D technology.

What was your biggest personal takeaway from your time at the Makerspace?

Monika Maciąg: Definitely: self-confidence. I not only learned new skills there, but I also found my own voice as a designer. I feel like something has “clicked” in my head – I see my path much more clearly now. There’s still a lot to do, but I’m looking forward to what’s to come.