April 11: Glowforge Laser Engraving

Glowforge Product Design Challenge

Design It. Make It. Pitch It.

In this workshop, you will learn how laser engraving and laser cutting work, explore how the Glowforge works, create a design in Tinkercad, prepare it for the Glowforge, and build a product prototype using laser-cut wood plus craft materials. At the end, you’ll pitch your idea like a designer, maker, or entrepreneur.

What You Will Learn

  • learn what laser engraving and laser cutting are

  • explore how the Glowforge works

  • create a design in Tinkercad

  • export and submit a design

  • build a product prototype using wood and craft materials

  • pitch a product idea

Think About It

How do people turn a digital design into a real product?

What makes a product useful, creative, or worth buying?

What Is Laser Engraving?

Laser engraving means the machine burns a design into the surface of a material.

Engraving can be used to add:

  • names

  • words

  • patterns

  • symbols

  • images

  • decorative details

What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting means the machine cuts all the way through a material.

Cutting can be used to create:

  • shapes

  • tags

  • signs

  • ornaments

  • custom pieces

Meet the Glowforge

The Glowforge is a laser machine that follows a digital design. It can engrave details onto wood and cut shapes with precision.

Glowforge Basics

  1. A design is created on a computer

  2. The design is exported and submitted

  3. The material is placed in the Glowforge

  4. The machine engraves or cuts the design

  5. The finished piece is removed and checked

Why Precision Matters

When designing for the Glowforge, size, spacing, and placement matter.

A strong design should:

  • fit the wood piece

  • have readable text

  • have enough space between shapes and lines

  • stay simple and clear

Design tip: Clean, simple designs often work best.

Your Challenge

Design a product, build a prototype, and pitch the idea.

This is more than making a wood piece. The goal is to create a product concept using:

  • a laser-cut or engraved wood piece

  • craft materials

  • creativity

  • problem-solving

By the end of the workshop, you will share a product and explain why someone would want it.

Choose a Product Direction

Choose one direction for the project.

Option 1: Personal Product

Create something for yourself.

Examples:

  • keychain

  • backpack tag

  • desk sign

  • custom badge

Option 2: Gift Product

Create something for a friend, family member, or pet.

Examples:

  • pet tag

  • ornament

  • friendship token

  • personalized tag

Option 3: School or Community Product

Create something useful for school, a club, team, or classroom.

Examples:

  • club badge

  • classroom label

  • spirit item

  • student tag

Option 4: Small Business Product

Create something that could be sold.

Examples:

  • custom keychain

  • name tag

  • mini sign

  • gift item

Think Bigger Than the Wood Piece

The wood piece is one part of the product.

Use craft materials to make the product more dynamic.

Materials may include:

  • paper

  • pencils

  • rulers

  • pipe cleaners

  • foil

  • markers

  • straws

  • glue guns

  • tape

  • other classroom crafting materials

You might use these materials to:

  • build part of a display

  • create packaging

  • add structure or decoration

  • build a stand or holder

  • show how the product works

  • make the prototype more detailed

Before You Start Designing

Before designing, you should:

  • measure the wood piece

  • decide whether to use the rectangle or circle

  • choose a product idea

  • think about who the product is for

  • plan how craft materials could improve the prototype

Reminder: A strong, simple idea is better than an overcrowded design.

Step 1: Measure and Sketch

Measure the wood piece with a ruler.

Then sketch 2 or 3 ideas before choosing one final design.

Ask These Questions

  • What am I making?

  • Who is it for?

  • What will be engraved or cut into the wood?

  • What craft materials could make the product more interesting?

  • Will the design fit the material?

  • Is the design clear and readable?

Step 2: Create the Design in Tinkercad

Create the wood design digitally in Tinkercad.

Tinkercad Steps

  1. Open Tinkercad

  2. Start a new design

  3. Add text, shapes, and simple graphics

  4. Keep the design the correct size

  5. Check that the text is easy to read

  6. Keep the layout clean and not too crowded

  7. Ask the teacher to check the design before exporting

Design Reminders

  • Keep it neat

  • Keep it readable

  • Keep it the right size

  • Simple designs are often the strongest

Step 3: Export for the Glowforge

After the design is approved, export it for the Glowforge.

Export Steps

  1. Check that the design is complete

  2. Export the design as an SVG

  3. Save the correct file

  4. Submit the file using the class form

Submit Your Design

Use this form to upload the file for the Glowforge:

https://forms.gle/SCzSRThw76nbAke97 

 

 

Step 4: Build the Prototype

While designs are being produced, continue building the product idea.

  • create packaging

  • build a stand or holder

  • add labels or branding

  • make part of the product from craft materials

  • create a display for the pitch

  • sketch a second version

  • decide on a price

  • practice the pitch

The goal is to create a stronger prototype, not just a single engraved shape.

Step 5: Assemble and Improve

Once the wood piece is ready, combine it with other materials as needed.

Students may:

  • color engraved lines

  • attach string, pipe cleaners, or other materials

  • glue parts together

  • create a display base

  • add packaging

  • label the product with a name and price

Turn the Prototype Into a Product Idea

Now think like a designer and entrepreneur.

Answer these questions:

  • What is the product?

  • Who is it for?

  • Why would someone want it?

  • What makes it different?

  • What would it cost?

Step 6: Prepare the Pitch

The pitch should explain:

  • the product name

  • who it is for

  • why it matters

  • what makes it special

  • how much it would cost

Pitch Sentence Frame

My product is called ____________________
It is for ____________________
It is special because ____________________
I designed it this way because ____________________
I would sell it for ____________________

Pitch Challenge

While pitching your product try to show:

  • creativity

  • clear thinking

  • strong design choices

  • confidence

  • a product people would want

Reflection

After the pitch, reflect on these questions:

  • What did I learn about laser engraving or cutting?

  • What was the hardest part: planning, designing, building, or pitching?

  • What would I improve in version 2?

  • What did I do well today?

Career Connections

This workshop connects to careers such as:

  • product design

  • graphic design

  • engineering

  • manufacturing

  • architecture

  • marketing

  • entrepreneurship

Final Reminder

A strong product does not need to be complicated.

Measure carefully.
Design clearly.
Build with purpose.
Pitch with confidence.

Link to the student handout

 

🎉 Game Breaks

  • Defying Gravity: Keep 1–3 balloons in the air using only one hand

  • Face the Cookie: Move an Oreo from your forehead to your mouth—no hands!

  • Link to Minute to Win it slides
 
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