Trimble SketchUp Q&A with Chris Brashar, Manager of Training for Architecture & Design

Kansas City, MO (May 28, 2026) – Walking into a Make48 competition is like stepping into a high-speed class in innovation. For Chris Brashar, a veteran with 18 years of experience at Trimble, the Wichita-GoCreate event was his first time witnessing the “48-hour rush” from the inside. 

With a background in industrial design, Chris has spent nearly two decades bridging the gap between art and engineering. But as a first-time ‘Tool Tech’, he found that the true magic of the competition’s real power doesn’t come from the tools on the floor; it was in the grit and curiosity of the competitors and makers behind them.  

Chris Brashar, Trimble Manager of Training for Architecture & Design

Turning Sketches into Solutions

You can watch the show as much as you want, but you don't truly feel the energy of Make48 until you’re "in the ring." For Chris, the biggest surprise wasn’t just the frantic pace - it was the people.

"The age range of the competitors really caught me by surprise," Chris noted. "I expected mostly high schoolers, but seeing everyone from elementary students to university-level students competing in one space was incredible. I wasn’t expecting such a vast range of perspectives, and it brought a unique energy to the entire challenge."

"I was thoroughly impressed by the students' commitment and their ability to quickly adapt," he said. "To see them explore different avenues to realize their ideas with such curiosity was incredible. These students were outgoing, conversational, and ready to ask the right questions."

Working with beginners is second nature to Chris. His ‘Golden Rule’ for CAD Beginners is simple. “Just do it. Jump in, press buttons. Don't be afraid of the software - it’s all digital space, and you can always hit the undo button!” As someone who has helped shape the learning resources on the SketchUp website, Chris knows exactly how to bridge the gap between a novice and expert user. 

As a mentor, Chris lives for the moment when a student realizes that 3D modeling isn't a "forbidden art" reserved for experts; it's a tool they can master right now. "When they realize that they, too, can be successful with a skill set that seemed prohibitive to them before... their jaw will drop, and they realize, 'Oh wow, I can do this.' That’s the best part to me."

Once the clock started ticking and the teams solidified their concepts, they headed to the Tool Tech station to figure out how to actually build the dream. Chris was right there in the trenches with them, helping them navigate with his colleagues Tori Hasson and Kathy Davies. "The Tool Tech community is remarkably supportive. Even though it was our first event, it didn't feel like it. The environment was so collegial that everyone jumped in to help one another without hesitation. We were constantly collaborating, preparing models to streamline their workflows while they shared their expertise with us. That instant familiarity made a high-pressure weekend feel like a shared mission among friends."

Chris using Trimble SketchUp modeling with a team in Wichita

Looking Ahead to Atlanta

The Wichita competition was just the beginning. As the season continues, Chris is looking forward to seeing how different design challenges will spark unique solutions. 

As we look toward the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Chris is ready for the next level. He’s excited to see how the next batch of innovators tackles the pressure and uses SketchUp to bring their wild ideas to life. 

Keep an eye out for Chris and the rest of the Trimble SketchUp team as they continue to help our teams bridge the gap between imagination and reality this season!