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For the fourth time, the Creativity and Innovation Centre of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas", has transformed into an open creative laboratory, bringing together students from across Europe and emerging performers from Lithuania’s music scene to work side by side. The centre hosted the international winter school “Sound and Vision: Mastering Music Video Creation”, an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). The initiative invited participants to explore the principles of visual storytelling and sound recording by producing live performance music videos for young Lithuanian artists. This year, the programme featured Lithuanian music groups Gyva, Dievaži, Mylėti’s and performer Justas Petryla with the band. Creative workshops with live music The winter school brought together students from a range of European higher education institutions. Among the participants were students from ATHENA European University Alliance partners – the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece, the University of Siegen in Germany and the University of Maribor in Slovenia. They were joined by students from Daugavpils University, RTU Liepaja Academy (Latvia), the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, the University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, and Tallinn University of Applied Sciences. “This winter school offers participants a rare opportunity to work directly with music artists,” says Greta Markūnaitė, Head of the Creativity Lab at VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas". “Students not only strengthen their technical skills, but also learn teamwork and creative communication – they analyse songs, develop visual concepts, record sound, film, and edit the final videos.” According to her, the creative process closely mirrors real working practices in the creative industries, where artistic ideas must be aligned with technical constraints. Collaboration with music groups helps students to develop not only their technical expertise, but also their communication and negotiation skills. “As in the professional sector, students have to find a balance between the artist’s vision and a high-quality audiovisual result,” adds G. Markūnaitė. During the theoretical week, students took part in interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, focusing on lighting, sound engineering, filming and editing. During the contact week, filming sessions were held in the facilities of VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas". The winter school resulted not only in professionally produced live performance video and audio recordings, but also in highly valuable practical experience for both students and artists. The performers gained high-quality content to support their future creative activities, while students acquired skills directly applicable to real-world production environments. We invite you to watch the live performance recordings created during the winter school: „Gyva“ – „Užpildyki savimi“, „Dievaži“ – „Noriu“, „Mylėti’s“ – „Sugrįžk“, Justas Petryla su grupe –  „Gedimino Aveniu“.

Two weeks of summer dedicated entirely to prototyping. This is the path chosen by the MAKERS 5.0 participants - international Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) students from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and several other European universities. From 23 June to 4 July, they gathered at VILNIUS TECH's “LinkMenu fabrikas” to try out rapid prototyping technologies and immerse themselves in the creative process. The VILNIUS TECH Creativity and Innovation Centre's "LinkMenu fabrikas" summer school is designed for beginner students who want to deepen their knowledge in prototyping. For two weeks, Lithuanian and foreign students learned and worked in 3D printing, electronics, sustainable design, design-thinking, metal and woodworking. From idea to prototype The programme took place in two phases. The first was virtual week where students analysed design challenges, explored materials and users' needs, and participated in interactive sessions led by experts from "LinkMenu fabrikas" as well as guest lecturers. The aim of the first week was to develop a strategy for the workshop: from concept development to production plan and technical solutions. In the second week, the participants met in Vilnius at the "LinkMenu fabrikas" prototyping workshop. Here, a four-day intensive prototyping marathon took place. Teams worked with 3D printers, lasers, woodworking equipment and, most importantly, electronic components that brought the prototypes to life and functionality. On the last day of the international school, public presentations were held. The student teams not only demonstrated their technical solutions, but also the sustainability and innovation of their design solutions. The ideas were defended in front of the jury, showing both creative thinking and technological readiness. Prototypes developed by students Five student teams presented prototypes: "Smart Helper", a monitor-mounted device that helps maintain healthy working conditions by monitoring whether the user is sitting too close to the screen, measuring room temperature and humidity, and helping to ensure good working conditions; "Growii", a smart pot with built-in sensors that tracks soil moisture, temperature and humidity and reminds the user when to water the plant; "Sound Totem" - a noise level meter that triggers light signals when the environment gets too loud, encouraging others to remember the health risks of noise; "Helper Kitten" - a wall-mounted mini-health checkpoint that can measure body temperature and pulse, designed as a simple and quick solution for public spaces; "Air Monitor" - an air quality monitor that measures temperature, humidity and gas concentrations, and triggers alarms such as sound and red light when safety limits are exceeded. MAKERS 5.0 International Summer School aims to enhance students' competences and international experience through innovative teaching methods. The summer school brought together students from Tallinn Technical University (Estonia), the University of Daugavpils (Latvia), the Riga University of Technology (Latvia), the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology (Latvia), the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), the University of Ruse (Bulgaria) and the ATHENA European University Alliance partner University of Siegen (Germany), University of Maribor (Slovenia) and students from VILNIUS TECH.

Are you passionate about design, engineering, or technology? Do you dream of turning your ideas into real products? Join the international summer school “MAKERS 5.0 and challenge yourself! Over two intensive weeks, you will gain practical skills, learn from experienced mentors, and work with technologies. The program covers 3D modeling and printing, CNC, laser cutting, metal and wood processing, and much more. This year, a special focus is placed on sustainability –  learn how to create new products using recycled materials and apply circular economy principles. Program Structure: June 23–27 – Online seminars, practical tasks, and team projects; June 30 – July 4 – Hands-on workshops at VILNIUS TECH “LinkMenų fabrikas” in Vilnius. This summer school is not just about learning –  it’s about networking with students from different countries, expanding your professional connections, and experiencing a creative process in a state-of-the-art workshop. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive 3 ECTS credits. Registration is open until May 30. More information and registration. This school is implemented in Erasmus+ Bended Intensive Programme (BIP) mode.

This January, the Creativity and Innovation Centre “LinkMenų fabrikas” at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) transformed into an experimental space where students from VILNIUS TECH and various European universities collaborated with emerging Lithuanian music artists. The international Winter School, part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Sound and Vision: Mastering Music Video Creation” 2025, invited students to delve into the art of recording and visualising musical performances by creating live performance video clips for artists. The Winter School featured performances by the bands “Ketera”, “Defektas”, “P404”, and artist Eglė Ancevičiūtė with her band. Creative Workshops with Live Music Students from various European higher education institutions took part in the Winter School, including ATHENA European University Alliance partners from the Mediterranean University of Greece and the University of Vigo in Spain, as well as students from the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN), representing NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, Daugavpils University in Latvia, and VILNIUS TECH. "This Winter School provided participants with a unique opportunity to work directly with music artists, learning not only technical skills but also teamwork and creative communication. Students analysed songs, developed visual concepts, recorded sound, filmed, and edited the final video clips," explains Greta Markūnaitė, Head of the Creativity Laboratory at VILNIUS TECH “LinkMenų fabrikas”. According to G. Markūnaitė, this process mirrors the real-world challenges of the creative industry – balancing artistic visions with technical solutions. "Collaborating with music bands taught students not only technical but also negotiation skills. Just like in the real creative sector, they had to find a balance between the artist’s vision and a professional audiovisual execution," she adds. During the theoretical week, students participated in interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, where they explored the intricacies of lighting, sound engineering, filming, and editing. This year, the Winter School also welcomed the team from VILNIUS TECH Virtual Production studio “Faux Real studio”, who introduced students to the fundamentals of virtual production. During practical sessions, filming took place in front of the studio’s LED screen, with a unique visual backdrop created for each group. Final Screening and Special Guests The highlight of the project was the final screening, where students showcased their work, and the participating artists shared their experiences of the creative process. Special guests also attended the student screenings – musician Tomas Narkevičius-Free Finga and director Pijus Vėberis. The guests actively engaged in evaluating the student projects, providing feedback, asking questions, and offering suggestions. The Winter School’s outcomes are not only polished recordings of live music performances but also a valuable experience for both students and artists, who received professionally produced audio and video recordings to support their future creative work. Live Performance Audio and Video Recordings Created During the Winter School: „Ketera“, „Defektas“, „P404” and Eglė Ancevičiūtė with a band. 

Two summer weeks dedicated solely to fostering creativity? An idea that liberates the mind and imagination, the third iteration of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) "MAKERS 5.0," held from July 8-19, brought together a group of talented students from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) and other European universities. During the summer school, students were introduced to rapid prototyping technologies and experienced the creative process through practical application. The VILNIUS TECH Creativity and Innovation Centre "LinkMenų fabrikas" summer school was aimed at beginner students. Working and learning in groups, these students not only deepened their knowledge in 3D printing, electronics, sustainable design, design thinking, and metal and wood processing, but also honed their teamwork, presentation, and time management skills. From 3D Printing to Promoting Sustainable Design Thinking The MAKERS 5.0 school lasted for two weeks. During the first week, participants learned remotely, delving into the themes of the summer school and completing other interactive tasks. The online lectures were conducted by lecturers from the VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" prototype laboratory and guest speakers from the summer school. One of the guest speakers, Karolina Kužmarskytė, a project manager at the Lithuanian Innovation Centre, discussed the importance of sustainability in design and the significance of a circular economy in designing future products. During the second week, students met in person and began working on their projects, aiming to apply theoretical knowledge practically. Over four days, students had to physically implement their planned projects using rapid prototyping technologies. During these days, students intensely designed, printed, cut, painted, and soldered prototypes of their creations. On the last day of the summer school, students presented their prototypes, explained their functionality, and defended the chosen design and its sustainable elements before an evaluation panel. Prototypes Created by Students Students created and presented the following prototypes: An interactive table decoration-reminder designed to track one's sports routine and maintain motivation. A pizza sauce dispenser for restaurants and pizzerias that evenly distributes sauce by rotating the pizza base. An alarm clock that wakes people up with appropriate music, discourages the use of smartphones before sleep, and has other functions. A game prototype called "Mysterious Thinker," similar to the "Magic 8-Ball," which helps people make life decisions more easily. The goal of the international summer school "MAKERS 5.0" is to enhance students' competencies through innovative teaching methods and expand their international experience. The summer school brought together students from the TTK University of Applied Sciences (Estonia), Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT (Finland), Daugavpils University (Latvia), and partners from the ATHENA European University Alliance, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (Poland). Students from VILNIUS TECH also participated in the program.

Exploring rapid prototyping through practice and experience, the "Erasmus+" Blended Intensive Program (BIP) MAKERS 5.0, for the second time, brought together a group of talented students from VILNIUS TECH and other European universities, aiming to experience the creative hands-on process. This time, the VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" spring school was aimed at beginner students. While creating and learning in groups, these students not only deepened their knowledge in 3D printing, electronics, design-thinking, and metal and wood processing but also honed their skills in teamwork, presentation, and time management. The MAKERS 5.0. school lasted two weeks; the first week involved remote learning, delving into sustainable design, electronics, 3D modelling fundamentals, and other interactive tasks. In the second week, the students met in person and began implementing their created projects, aiming to apply theoretical knowledge practically. Participants utilised rapid prototyping technologies to create product prototypes in these areas: an invention that brings people together; retro reborn; the most useless invention; the most useful invention; and a mood booster. In response to these challenges and themes, one team of students created a riddle game for school-age children to educate them about climate change. Other teams created an interactive memory-enhancing puzzle and a mood and emotional literacy-boosting robot. The team that received the highest evaluation from the jury created an add-on that can revive any old and non-functioning player or radio. In the category of the most useless invention, students presented their self-created and app-controlled car model, which had to catch (and never catch) a rolling table tennis ball. To create prototypes, students used old electronic waste, plywood, and 'Filalab' 3D printing plastic recycled from PET bottles. The international spring school "MAKERS 5.0." aims to increase student competencies with innovative teaching methods and expand their international experience. The spring school brought together students from Riga Technical University (Latvia), TTK University of Applied Sciences (Estonia), and partners from the ATHENA European University Alliance, the University of Siegen (Germany). Students from VILNIUS TECH also participated in the program.

For a span of two weeks, Vilnius Gediminas technical university (VILNIUS TECH) Creativity and Innovation Centre "LinkMenų fabrikas" hosted an immersive winter school focused on sound and video production – "Immersive Music Video Creation." The culmination of this program includes four captivating live performance videos and song recordings crafted by students working collaboratively in international teams. This winter school, conducted within the framework of the "Erasmus+" Blended Intensive Program (BIP), brought together both local and international students, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Notably, the initiative received support from emerging Lithuanian music bands such as "Timohi," "Black Spikes," "IAMREY," and the group "Sirupas." Harmony between Lithuanian music groups and students The VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" winter school unfolded in a hybrid format. In the initial week, students delved into the fundamentals of virtual production, beginning with the "Unreal Engine." Further, they gained expertise in sound recording, sound design, video editing, lighting, and equipment usage, all while working remotely. The teams also learned the art of crafting filming scripts. The finish of winter school happened during the second week when students immersed themselves in hands-on activities within the spaces of VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas." Mantas Tamulionis, Head of the Digital Lab at VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas," emphasized the practical dimension as the winter school's standout feature. He stated, "The students, in collaboration with their respective groups, tackled real-life conditions, resulting in a shared accomplishment." Exploring diverse musical styles, M. Tamulionis explained, "The selected musical groups spanned various genres – metal, rap, light rock, and eclectic rock/folk." Despite the challenging task at hand, M. Tamulionis highlighted the students' ability to conceptualize a live performance video vision, present it, coordinate with their groups, shoot the video clip in a condensed timeframe, record the audio, and ultimately, compile the final result. A Global Perspective The winter school attracted participants from esteemed international institutions such as "L'école de Design Nantes Atlantique" in France, "Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design + Technology" in Ireland, Sofia University in Bulgaria, along with students from the European University Alliance – Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece and the University of Siegen in Germany. VILNIUS TECH students from the Faculties of Fundamental Sciences, Mechanics, and Creative Industries seamlessly blended with this diverse international cohort. Explore the final outcomes of the winter school: SIRUPAS - Susprogdinti tiltai, IAMREY – Iš Apačios, TIMOHI - Brolin Barzda, Black Spikes - Užkalbėjimai.  

For two weeks, participants of the Erasmus+ program project "Makeademy" sought an answer to this question. Students from Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Spain, and Italy attended an intensive summer school, where they learned techniques for problem identification, idea generation, and solution finding. Ultimately, utilizing rapid prototyping and using electronic waste provided by the company "EMP Recycling," the students developed solutions to identified problems. The summer school was hosted by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Creative and Innovation Center "LinkMenų fabrikas". From an artistic installation with holograms to the best business model The summer school took place in a mixed format – students acquired theoretical knowledge remotely, and the second week took place in workshops at VILNIUS TECH's "LinkMenų fabrikas." Lecturers and mentors from VILNIUS TECH's "LinkMenų fabrikas", Palermo University in Italy, Aarhus University in Denmark, Riga Technical University in Latvia, and "FabLab Barcelona" in Spain provided theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. The company "EMP Recycling" offered a guided tour of their electronic waste sorting centre. Five mixed teams of students created product prototypes. Their creative journey culminated in a pitching event where each team had 7 minutes to present their problem, idea, developed solution, business model, target audience, and the technical efficiency of the prototype they created. The most innovative idea was presented by the team "ReHERO" – a game that allows playing the "Guitar Hero" game with any vintage music cassette. The most technically accomplished prototype was presented by the team "ReBooters." Their installation named "HOLO Trash" uses holograms to educate people about the importance of waste sorting and recycling. This team used scanned waste from "EMP Recycling". The best business model and presentation were prepared by the team "JOYBIKE." They aim to create an assortment of innovative, functional, and adaptable bicycle accessories. Their prototype is a Palermo street culture-inspired bicycle accessory that produces musical sounds while pedalling. The team "FOUR-CE" introduced an automatic door lock that also disinfects hands, addressing the problem of bacteria and viruses spread in hospitals and medical facilities. The most sustainable product prototype was presented by the team "Luminous Link," which used the most electronic components obtained from the "EMP Recycling" company. Their created prototypes, two interconnected lamps, aim to alleviate the loneliness problem. When one lamp is turned on, the other, located with someone else, also lights up. The summer school involved students from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, ISM University of Management and Economics, Aarhus University in Denmark, Palermo University and Rome La Sapienza University in Italy, Riga Technical University, BAU College of Fine Arts and Design, Catalonia Institute for Advanced Architecture and its "FabLab Barcelona" workshops. Secondary use of waste One of the challenges of the summer school was to create a new product using electronic waste. "By giving students the opportunity to turn electronic waste into new creations, we not only develop their technical skills but also provide an important lesson in sustainability. By harnessing the potential of discarded electronics, we aim to educate a generation that understands that today's waste can become tomorrow's resources," says Dr Lina Pečiūrė, Director of VILNIUS TECH's "LinkMenų fabrikas." According to L. Pečiūrė, the students' creativity was surprising – even though they had the opportunity to use the same materials, the final results of the teams were very different. The general director of "EMP Recycling" also praised the prototypes created by the students. "In our daily operations, we aim to turn waste into high-quality resources, return materials to the circular economy, and preserve a clean environment for future generations. We encourage society to avoid waste generation, reuse items, or extend their lifespan. Therefore, we are very pleased that during the summer school, students created new, innovative projects using electronic waste provided by our company, rather than new materials. It is evident that innovation can be fostered by utilizing existing resources. We should promote and discuss such an approach more," says Darius Valeika, General Director of "EMP Recycling." Makeademy project The Erasmus+ project "Makers Academy: Developing Future Engineer's Skills" (Makeademy) aims to strengthen engineering study programs by creating innovative teaching methods that help future engineers be flexible and creative. The flexible modular study program "Makeademy," based on the CDIO (conceive-design-implement-operate) method, is being developed during the project. This method can help students acquire the skills needed to address professional and global challenges. The project is coordinated by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, with partners including Riga Technical University (Latvia), Catalonia Institute for Advanced Architecture - FabLab Barcelona (Spain), CESIE (Italy), and Aarhus University (Denmark). The main results of "Makeademy" include the student experience map "Student Business Idea Development Plan" and study modules for technical creativity, deepening prototyping knowledge, as well as soft engineering skills development. All these results will be available on an open learning resources platform.

Throughout the past week, the hanagar of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Creativity and Innovation Center "LinkMenų fabrikas" was filled with music. The main task of the summer school, titled "Sound and vision: mastering music video creation," was for participants to create live performance videos and recordings for a band. The summer school participants recorded songs and filmed performances for four young music bands from Lithuania. Hangar full of music and intensive student work According to Mantas Tamulionis, the Head of the Digital Laboratory at VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas," the summer school attracted around 20 participants, including students from partner universities of the ATHENA European University Alliance - the University of the Mediterranean and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, as well as students from Riga Technical University, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, and VILNIUS TECH students. "Our summer school concept is quite unique - foreign university students working in mixed teams with VILNIUS TECH students not only learned sound, light, filming, and editing skills but also got acquainted with young Lithuanian music creators. Together with them, students analyzed their songs, performed recording work, and edited music videos," says M. Tamulionis. According to the Head of the Digital Laboratory, this experience enriched not only the students themselves but also the performing bands. They had the opportunity to engage in the learning process, share their knowledge and talent, in exchange for the final musical product. The following groups participated in the summer school: "Eiktubaiktu," the winners of the "Garažas" young group competition organized by the "Tamsta" music club in 2023, as well as the groups "Kaseté," "Sacréblue," and "Juoda Juoda." From the right filming technique to professionally sounding performers The summer school took place in a hybrid format - the first week was conducted remotely, and in the second week, students flew to Lithuania, VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" in person. During the first week, lectures, analysis of real music videos, and group work on the "Miro" platform took place. Participants got closer to the groups, their songs, and created technical plans for live performance filming and audio recording, which they presented to the bands. Upon arriving in Vilnius, participants engaged in intensive work - students filmed live performances of the bands, recorded their songs, and edited audio and video recordings. The two-week training concluded with presentations of their completed work, during which students showcased their final projects, and the music groups shared their impressions. "This summer school is unique in that participants carry out a practical task with a real client - a music band, which, like in the real life, always has its own vision and suggestions on how the final product should look and sound. By interacting with the performers and finding compromises, participants develop not only professional but also communication skills," says Mantas Tamulionis, Head of the Digital Laboratory at VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas." Live performance audio and video recordings created during the summer school: Juoda Juoda – Naktis,  SacrèBlue – Tik tau, Kasetè – Nemiga, Eiktubaiktu – I will save me. This summer school is part of VILNIUS TECH Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme.

On the 3rd of February, the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Creativity and Innovation Centre "LinkMenų fabrikas" hosted the final pitch evening of the Winter School "MAKERS 5.0." where students presented the prototypes they created. Winter School "MAKERS 5.0." is an "Erasmus+" Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) organised by VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas", which students from VILNIUS TECH, Riga Technical University (Latvia), and Athena Alliance Universities – Università Niccolò Cusano (Italy), Politécnico do Porto (Portugal), Hellenic Mediterranean University (Greece) attended. Over 30 students participated in the Winter School, working in interdisciplinary teams, attending remote and live lectures, learning the basics of electronics and 3D printing, and finally presenting the prototypes of the products they developed. From intelligent toys for kids to indoor air quality detectors One of the student teams participating in the Winter School presented an intelligent toy to stimulate children's critical thinking, creativity, and learning. The prototype, called "Phanthom FB1", is an interactive educational toy in the form of a modular car. Each part of the car has sensors that identify whether the rest of the vehicle is assembled correctly. Over three days, the students made the engine compartment and the wheels. The students hope this toy can develop children's construction skills and mechanical knowledge. Another team presented an air quality detector of their own making, which can measure indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and air quality and can react to smoke and gases produced during combustion. Another team also presented the air quality detector – the unique feature is that it is also a luminaire. The air quality data is not represented by numerical data but by lights whose colour indicates the air quality inside the room. The "Light it up!" team presented a device to address issues such as excessive screen time, the need to innovate the education system and the development of new learning tools. Their prototype is an illuminated toy that uses a flashlight to show luminous illustrations. According to the "Light it up!" team, this toy, designed for children aged 2-6, can help children learn mathematics. The team behind the "Smart Smoke Detector" has developed a prototype of a children's toy and smoke detector. This prototype consists of different parts printed on a 3D printer, which, when assembled, makes a children's toy and smoke detector in one. The team claimed that the toy stimulates children's creativity and acts like an accurate smoke detector, thus ensuring safety. VILNIUS TECH LinkMenų fabrikas' interdisciplinarity  "International Winter School "MAKERS 5.0." is one of the best examples of the intertwining of international university cooperation and student work in interdisciplinary teams. During this winter school, students deepened their knowledge in the development of Smart City elements – electronics, 3D printing and product design, so we can be happy not only with the prototypes that students have but also with the university contacts and the widened circle of contacts that they have established. Most of the winter school students are already looking forward to the opportunity to come back to VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas," says VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenų fabrikas" Deputy Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurga Naimavičienė.