Designers are responsible for creating objects that address the needs we have in our life. Be it to drink a cup of coffee, to get from point A to point B, or to connect with others. We are constantly surrounded by these objects and the qualities of their design affect how we use it. The shape of a coffee mug affects how I hold it. The height of a chair affects how I sit in it. This ultimately changes how we interact with the world, which is essentially manipulating our culture. As designers, it is important to be aware of how our design choices may be affecting the minds and culture of our users. In this project students explored this idea by looking closely at an object that holds significance in their life. They researched the evolution of the object and its use in their culture. They then observed the design closely to reproduce it in a modelling software called OnShape.
Learning Goals
Good DesignThrough this project we discussed what design is and how to evaluate the quality of a design. We started by looking at the form and function of designs to understand how design achieves a purpose. We then used Dieter Rams' 10 principles of good design to critique those designs in an objective manner.
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Material CultureStudents were tasked with modelling an object that holds "cultural significance" to them. A person's culture may be defined largely by heritage and ethnic background, but is also influenced by other communities. These communities share values. What do the objects that these communities tell us about what the student values? This is material culture.
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Computer Aided DesignWe used a professional level modelling software called OnShape to recreate our objects. Students tracked their growth in these skills through an engineering portfolio. Click below to see the final results and to watch the students' final presentations.
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