The Nest – Prototypes

The young designers made a list of the materials they needed to create their prototypes of ‘the NEST‘.

In Design, they looked for materials and collected them in paper bags. We noticed how the designers tested the materials to see if they suited their design plans.

Some of the designers arranged their materials on the tabletops, then reconsidered their choices based on the properties of the materials. These are important considerations that designers often reflect on as they create and manipulate materials for a purpose.

The designers began to work on their prototypes. They were encouraged to refer to the shape and design choices they had documented on their plans. As the designers worked with the materials, they talked about their own projects and provided suggestions to their peers. Some of the designers ran in and out of the classroom, revisiting ‘the nest’ to see if their prototypes were accurate replications and improvements to the current structure. The teachers noticed some of the designers reconsidering their initial choice of materials. Through trial and error, the young designers continued to make improvements to the prototypes.

Tracey and Patrick reassessed their designs, reconsidering the materials as well as the structure of their prototypes. Patrick ran to a brick wall to see ‘how’ the bricks were laid, deciding that the pattern was an important consideration.

Sean, Doho, Eunice and Tae Woo considered new materials that were available in the Atelier and in the classroom. Mason decided to combine natural and synthetic materials in his design. While creating, the young designers followed the natural cycles of design as they planned, created, reflected and improved their structures.

Design Learning Outcomes:

• choose tools and materials
• make a product using known procedures or through modelling of others
• use trial and error to make changes, solve problems, or incorporate new ideas from self or others
• develop their skills and add new ones through play and collaborative work
• explore the use of simple, available tools and technologies to extend their capabilities

 

The Prototypes