makingat

Makingat is a term used in maker culture to describe an approach to creating tangible projects through iterative, hands-on practice performed in real time. The concept emphasizes rapid prototyping, continuous refinement, and transparent documentation of the process—from initial concept and material selection to testing, failure, and revision. In many communities, makingat is less about a finished product and more about learning through doing and sharing the steps publicly, often via blogs, social media, or live sessions.

Origins and usage: The term appears in online maker communities in the early 2020s as a blend of "making" and the preposition "at," signaling the activity that occurs in a workspace or workshop. It is used across disciplines including woodworking, electronics, sewing, 3D printing, and metalwork. Practitioners may host "makingat sessions" where participants assemble, document, and critique builds together, sometimes with open-source software and materials.

Principles and practices: Key aspects include open documentation of experiments, modular design, reuse of salvaged parts, and iterative testing. Emphasis is on process transparency, community feedback, and skill transfer. Safety and sustainability are commonly highlighted.

Impact and reception: Makingat aligns with broader maker culture values of collaboration, accessibility, and lifelong learning. Critics note that it can be time-consuming or resource-intensive, but supporters see it as a productive way to reduce waste and improve craft through shared knowledge.