About Us
Here at the Idea Shop, we are a team of makers that pride ourselves on our variety of interests, skill sets, and backgrounds. Together, we create a vibrant quilt of knowledge and expertise that covers all aspects of making, from digital fabrication to machining by hand, from working with textiles to baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie (really - ask us for baking tips)!
Professional Staff
Lab Manager
Patrick Karnia
- About
When not at work Patrick is usually developing his home automation setup or doing external consulting work. His favorite part of working for the Idea Shop is the wide variety of projects that come through which allow him to employ mechanical, electrical, and programming skills from his physics background. As a distraction from the technical world he enjoys baking and going hiking / camping with his wife Alexa, a veterinarian in Chicago's south loop, and two dogs Coal, 4.5yr old Border Collie, and Aura, 2.5yr old Pyrenees / Retriever mix (or something like that).
- Contact
pkarnia[at]iit[dot]edu
1.312.567.3387
Lab Technician(s)
Alessandra Norman
- About
Alessandra is a desert lizard that finds herself living in and enjoying Chicago. When she's not at the Idea Shop, you can find her tending to her greenhouse collection of over 90 cactus and other xerophytic specimens, or in her other woodshop working on her art.
alessandra.lol
- Contact
anorman2[at]iit[dot]edu
1.312.567.3095
Student Staff
Lab Mentors
Alex
2022 B.S Electrical Engineering
- About
I am a Fourth year Electrical Engineering student pursuing a career in Digital logic design or integrated circuit design. I love exploring the city and spending time outdoors. Besides learning new things, I enjoy running and playing board games. Some of my current projects include custom SoC design using [Chipyard] and learning Java. In the future I intend to get involved in academic research and pursue a Master's degree in Computer Engineering. Check out my [Personal Website]
- Expertise
- 3D Modeling
- FPGA Design and HDL Programming
- Laser Cutting
- Soldering
Dominik
2022 B.S. Electrical Engineering
- About
Electrical Engineer with a passion on circuit design and embedded systems coding. Dominik has designed frequency synthesizers, LED matrix cubes, underwater ROVs, pygame GUIs, and electrical systems of a formula one car. Dominik enjoys skiing, cooking as well as exercising.
- Expertise
- Soldering
- Electronics prototyping/ troubleshooting
- Laser cutting
- Underwater projects
- Embroidering
- C
- C++
- Python
Emma
2021 B.S. Biomedical Engineering, M.E. Chemical Engineering
Hannah
2022 B.S. Aerospace Engineering
- About
A Navy Veteran who operated nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers without a college degree (like Homer Simpson). Now she wants to be a rocket scientist. She enjoys learning, red wine, swimming, writing stories and getting lost in nature.
- Expertise
- Soldering
- Electrical Equipment and Safety
- Firefighting
- Instrumentation and Control
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Jason
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2020 M.Des. Masters of Design
Noah
2021 B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Paulina
2022 B.S. Physics, M.S. Health Physics
- About
Third year Physics major, consumer of coffee and tea, likely working on three projects at once. Excited to help you with your project!
- Expertise
- Woodworking
- AutoCAD
- Laser Cutting
- Sewing
- Soldering
Ryan
2021 BAC Information Technology Management, Minor Architecture
- About
Third year ITM major with an Archie Minor. Enjoys cooking and nightlife. Recently got a cat, her name is Orca.
- Expertise
- Project Management
- Information Systems
- Basic Design Concepts
- Brainstorming Ideas
Will
2021 B.S. Computer Engineering
- About
Third year Computer Engineering Major and Lab manager for Illinois Tech Robotics. Started at the Idea Shop Spring of 2019. Everything in the world will be automated by the time I'm done with it! I like to cook for my roommates. I hate doing dishes.
- Expertise
- Circuit Design
- Soldering
- Arduino programming
- Woodworking Machines
- Autodesk Inventor
Yara
2021 B.Arch. Architecture
Zoe
2022 B.S. Mechanical Engineering
- About
Third year Mechanical Engineering student with 18 years of experience in textiles, a passion for locomotive and rolling stock engineering, and approximate knowledge of all things Idea Shop.
- Expertise
- Sewing
- Embroidery
- Textiles and fiber
- Wearable Electronics
