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  • Manchester Urban Design LAB (MUD-Lab)
  • Study
  • Facilities & Software
  • Toolkit
  • Manchester Urban Design LAB (MUD-Lab)
  • Study
  • Facilities & Software
    • Facilities
    • Software
    • Toolkit
    • Video tutorials

Toolkit

This bespoke series of booklets is an easy-to-use free resource for our students.

Frequently updated and expanded upon, our toolkit comprises of simple step-by-step guides that:

  • improve students' urban design software skills;
  • develop students' techniques in core urban design approaches and methods;
  • offer students outside-the-classroom learning opportunities in developing urban design analysis, ideas, and proposals.

We recommend you work through the following four tiers in order.

A: Software

  • Adobe Illustrator Explained: Part 1
  • Adobe Illustrator Explained: Part 2
  • Adobe Illustrator Advanced Techniques
  • Adobe InDesign Explained
  • Adobe Photoshop Explained
  • Adobe Photoshop Practical Guide
  • AutoCAD Explained
  • Digimap: Importing Our Base Maps
  • Google Earth Pro Maps
  • Rendering with TwinMotion
  • SketchUp Pro
  • Software Practical Tutorials

B: Techniques

  • Axonometric Perspectives
  • Cross Sections
  • Sketching Techniques

C: Analysis

  • Character Study
  • Figure Ground
  • Historical Analysis
  • Legibility Analysis
  • Serial Vision
  • Vernacular Study

D: Design

  • Thinking 3D
  • The Principles of Urban Blocks 
  • Housing Typologies
  • The Size of Streets and Spaces
Students working at one of The University of Manchester's computer clusters.

Software

We operate key software in developing projects, and in teaching and training.

Model created at the Manchester Urban Design LAB (MUD-Lab).

Video tutorials

Our professionally produced video tutorials focus on core technical skills and hand-sketching.

Contacts

  • +44 (0)161 275 2815
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  • Manchester Urban Design LAB (MUD-Lab)
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  • Toolkit