Equipment

Guiding Questions

Design Brief

1. Situation

   The Technology Block needs some love. There are incredible resources, tools, and equipment, however, there doesn't seem to be a cohesive storage system in each workshop. This means that things go missing and get damaged because students and teachers can't see what we have immediately. Sometimes tools are not stored in a way that keeps them in good condition. Teachers even forget they even have resources because they have been put in a random cupboard somewhere. This ends costing us time and money.

    

   So, the challenge for this project is to select a specific resource or tool that needs to be stored and develop a custom solution for it. It will have to suit the physical item as well as the space in which it should be stored. The specific users of the resources/tool will need to be considered as well. This means you will have to consider the teacher/s who use the resources (how often is it used/how tall are they/disabilities) as well as the students who use them.

    

   The final solution must be of the highest quality and show an appropriate craftsperson-ship. You should try to consider functional and aesthetic qualities in your final solution. Functional does not necessarily mean drab or cheap (looking at you, unfinished MDF ... )

   
   Brief

   To design and make a custom storage solution for something in the Technology Block. It must consider fitness for purpose in the broadest sense and be able to be used in 2021. You must make a set of technical drawings that you will construct your prototype from and use CNC technology where suitable for your solution.

   
   Design Specifications
   

   • Size: Suitable for selected resource and users - negotiated with the teacher
   • Materials: Available within the school setting, but including mild and tensile steels, aluminium, plastics, and wood
   • Construction techniques: A range of resistant materials and manufacturing processes are to be employed including the use of CNC technology
   • Environmental considerations: Must be considered and evident within testing and design decisions
   • Human factors: Must be considered and evident within testing and design decisions

   
   Your production specifications are to be developed through your research, design, and testing later on.

   
    Requirements
   

   • The completed design must be detailed enough to be commercially manufactured
   • All materials must be suitable for the completed design
   • Health and Safety practices (including training) must be evident throughout the entire design and construction process
   • Final outcomes and selected design work must be presented at the end of the year Technology exhibition
   • Final outcomes must be usable and supported by evidence of testing in-site
   • Storage solutions to be IN USE in 2021

Instructions

1. 1

   Break it down

   
   If you don't understand what's being asked - how on earth are you going to design something that is 'successful'? Breaking down the brief to get your head in the game is really important. But how do you do that?

   • Start by re-reading the words slowly and carefully, doing this out loud is even better
   • Highlight/underline the really important words
   • Circle the words you're not sure about and get a definition that makes sense to you - write down in your workbook
   • Remember to read all parts of the brief (situation, brief, specifications, and requirements)

    

   We highlighted some keywords/phrases below. In your workbook, write notes (in a brainstorm format) about what you think each one means in relation to the project. 

   • Bespoke
   • Cohensive
   • Custom storage solution
   • Fitness for purpose
   • Used in 2012
   • Technical drawings
   • Prototype
   • CNC technology
2. 2

   Brainstorm

   
   Now you have taken time to understand and interpret words/phrases you may not know from the brief. Create a brainstorm using the guiding questions (questions at the top of the lesson). There are no right or wrong answers at this point, try to note down your personal reaction to the brief and any ideas you have.

   Guiding Questions:

   • What am I making?
   • Why this project - what’s the point?
   • What will be the hardest parts?
   • What have I built in the past that could be helpful?
   • What are my experiences of the storage spaces in the Tech Block?