MS+Explore+Q4+Notes+&+HW

=Design Technology - MS Explore Q4 2012=

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=Class 1 - Introduction to DT = April 9, 2012

We study Design Technology:

 * To become skillful problem solvers.
 * To develop an appreciation of how technology can be applied to solving real world problems.
 * To develop new skill.

We use the Design Cycle to:

 * Investigate problems
 * Design products and solutions
 * Plan for the creation of our products and solutions
 * Create our products and solutions
 * To evaluate our products and Solutions

We tell a " compelling story" about our process in a Design Folder. A Design Folder that tells a compelling story:

 * is clearly and consistently formatted
 * is easy to read
 * is supported by **graphics, photos and diagrams** that are clearly labeled and easy to understand.
 * is interesting to the reader
 * expresses your unique point of view
 * describes your thought process
 * explains your ideas and choices during the design process
 * explain your understanding of the Unit Question

Unit Question for Quarter 4
Why and how do societies convey the importance of global issues to its members? Here at AISD how can we promote the importance of global issues so that we can better live the school's vision of “being stewards of a just and sustainable world?"

=Class 2 - Nuts and Bolts = April 11, 2012

The DT Computer Lab
We are very lucky to have 11 new iMacs in our 16 Mac computer lab. These computers are important tools for Design Technology. We will use these computers to design our products and also to maintain our Design Folders.


 * Computer Lab Rules:**
 * Do not touch the computer screen.
 * No food or drinks in the lab.
 * Do not change the desktop image or modify computer settings in any way.
 * Do not save files on the desktop (All files left on the desktop will be thrown out).
 * Follow all AISD computer usage rules

All of the lab computers include Google SketchUp Pro. SketchUP is an advanced 3D design software which is easy to learn and fun to use. SketchUp is a great tool for helping us design and plan for our DT products and solutions.
 * Google SketchUp**

SketchUp also comes in a free version which is extremely powerful. **Students are required to download and install SketchUp on their home computers**.

The DT Server
Design Technology Students have access to a special server to store photos and other electronic documents required for the course. To access the DT Server click on the DT Server icon in the Dock. You can also access the DT Server from the **Finder Menu:: Go:: Connect to Server** then choose **afp://designtechnology** and login as **Guest.** You can not access the DT server from home.

The DT Wiki and Your Design Folder
The DT wiki is your source for all information related to Design Technology at AISD. To access the wiki look your the wiki Icon in the Dock or in the lab internet browsers. To create your design folder you need a wikispaces account. You can get one here

Your **Design Folder** lives in the DT wiki. You can access your design folder by going to the wiki and clicking on the following link:

Remember that the Design Folder is 60% of your DT grade. For more info about the design folder check the: back to top
 * Course syllabus
 * Assessment rubric

Class 3 - Jumping in the Deep End
April 16, 2012

Micro Unit: Graphic Software and Machine Tools
Graphics software like Adobe Illustrator ® are important tools for helping designers to solve real world problems and allow designers to design very accurate drawings which can be created with machine tools such as a scroll saw. These drawings are an important part of documenting the creation process and tell a compelling story.
 * Big Understanding:**

How can I use Adobe Illustrator help you to create accurate scale drawings of my product? What are the characteristics of a good technical drawing? How can I use my technical drawing to help me create an actual product or solution?
 * Essential Questions:**

Designers need to use a variety of tools in the design process to transform their ideas into real products. Adobe Illustrator (AI) is a powerful tool for design and creating accurate scale drawings which when printed can be used as a template for cutting out materials in the DT lab. In this micro unit you must demonstrate your ability to use AI to design a product which will be cut out on the scroll saw.
 * Micro Unit Problem:**

Create an abstract symbol or logo shape that demonstrates your ability to design with AI and use the scroll saw.
 * Design Brief:**


 * Design Specification:**
 * Must be designed with AI.
 * Template must fit on letter size paper.
 * Template must be well formatted.
 * Template must show product borders (4.5" x 4.5").
 * Template must show 3/4" padding to ensure good white space in the final product.
 * The design must be inside the padding.
 * The shape must have curved and straight edges.
 * The design must be a solid shape.
 * The design must not be an existing logo or named shape (ie. a heart shape).
 * The final product must be cut out using the scroll saw.
 * The final product must be cut out on the plywood and acrylic materials provided.

Here are two **examples** of logo shapes that meets the specification:



Having trouble creating your own template? Here is one you can download !

Class 4 - Getting into the Lab
April 18, 2012

As a designer it is important that you learn about your materials. Understanding your materials will help you design a better product.
 * Materials we will use:**
 * Plywood
 * Acrylic (a form of plastic)

Check this video about how plywood is made: media type="youtube" key="jGn-Gh1VuPI" height="315" width="420"


 * Lab Steps:**
 * 1) Download and open the AI Template
 * 2) Transfer your design (homework) to the template
 * 3) Print your design on the DT Printer
 * 4) Tape the plywood square and acrylic square together with masking tape
 * 5) Glue your template to the squares
 * 6) Drill a starter hole in your squares
 * 7) Get Scroll saw orientation
 * 8) Set up the scroll saw
 * 9) Cut out your shape

Here are the completed logo Shapes cut out on the Scroll Saw. **Nice Work!**
 * Lab Results:**

include component="comments" page="MS Explore Q4 Notes & HW" limit="10" NOTE: Do not download SketchUp Pro (unless you want to pay $500) Upload evidence of SketchUp on your home computer to your design folder:
 * Home Work:**
 * Download the FREE version of Google SketchUp**
 * give your evidence a meaningful name
 * evidence should be 500 pixels wide

Class 4 - Unpacking the Global Issues Unit Question
April 22, 2012

As a designer it is important that you understand the problem that you are trying to solve. In this class the problem we are trying to solve is the Unit Question. As part of our **INVESTIGATION** into the problem we must look closely at the Unit Question so that we can understand the problem completely.
 * **Why and how do societies convey the importance of global issues to its members? Here at AISD how can we promote the importance of global issues so that we can better live the school's vision of “being stewards of a just and sustainable world?"**

Brainstorming and Mind Maps
In todays class we will work in small groups to brainstorm about the UQ and try to identify the big ideas that relate to the problem. Use the following questions to get you started. Record your ideas and discoveries in a mind map. Use color to highlight your ideas.
 * Who
 * What
 * Where
 * Why
 * How

1. Complete your mind map and post on your wiki 2. Join Bubbl.us for an easy to use mind mapping tool. 3. Watch the plywood video posted above.
 * Homework**
 * Organize your ideas clearly
 * Use colors to help tell your story
 * Make your mind map vertical so that it fits nicely in your design folder.


 * Example Mind Map**

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Class 5 - Guiding Questions
April 24, 2012 back to top

What are Guiding Questions?
As you think about the Unit Question you will probably have many question. Some of the questions will be easy to answer but other questions will require deeper investigation and research. It is important to keep a list of all your questions in one place so that you can answer them when you are ready. Your guiding question will help you decide what to investigate.

In class we brainstormed some of the questions we have about the Unit Question.


 * Guiding Question from Class Brain Storm**
 * What kind of products will meet my design brief and design specification?
 * What do I care about? What global issue is important to me (from the Unit Question)
 * How big should my product be?
 * Are there limits to the size of my design?
 * How can I ensure that my product is safe?
 * What materials are available / appropriate?
 * What Tool are available / appropriate?
 * What message do I want to convey?
 * How can I test my product ideas before I build?

Unit Question - Big Ideas
For homework due today you were asked to think about the Unit Question and brainstorm about what it means. You were asked to record your ideas in a mind map. In class we summarized our findings. You said the Unit Question was about:
 * **Communication** - "convey" and "promote"
 * **Community** - "societies", "members", "AISD"
 * **Vision Statement -** who we want to be (goals)
 * **Influencing behavior -** promote positive change

These ideas must be addressed by you product to make it successful.

Make it personal - What do you care about?
It is also important that your product reflect you own ideas and feeling about the unit question. Ask yourself what part of the unit question do you connect with? What global issue do you want people to care about?

Here are some of the global issues that students felt were important to them.
 * Climate Change
 * Poverty
 * Education
 * Bullying
 * Access to clean water
 * Pollution

Once you have understood the problem in the Unit Question and you have interpreted it for yourself it is time to write a Design Brief and a Design Specification.


 * Design Brief** - A short statement (2-3 sentences) that says:
 * 1) What you will do or make
 * 2) Who it is for
 * 3) How it will solve the Unit Question


 * Design Specification** - A list of the things that are required for the product to be successful.

Write a **Design Brief** and **Design Specification** for a product that answers the Unit Question.
 * Homework**

Class 6 - Typography Matters
April 26, 2012

media type="custom" key="15698882" align="left" Check out this video of a poem by Taylor Mali. Think about these question?
 * What is Taylor Mali telling us?
 * What issue does he care about?
 * How does he want you to feel?
 * How does the style of video support or not support the ideas he wants to convey?

Typography is the practice of choosing and arranging type (fonts are an example of type) for the purpose of communicating effectively.


 * Why does Typography matter?**


 * Investigation Homework**:
 * Research the question "Why does typography matter?"
 * Write one paragraph about what you think.
 * Site one source to support your ideas
 * Show one example from the web of typography that inspires you.
 * Upload your work to your design folder.

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Class 7 - Design Folder Review
April 30, 2012

Here is a list of things that should be in your design folder
 * Major Headings
 * Investigate
 * Design
 * Plan
 * Create
 * Evaluate
 * Under Investigate
 * Unit Question
 * Unit Question Interpreted in your own words and why it is important to you
 * Evidence of the problem
 * Investigation into where your product will go and how the placement will effect your deign choices
 * Investigation into how other people have approached and or solved the problem
 * Inspirations
 * Design Brief
 * Design Specification
 * Materials Investigation
 * Tool Investigation

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Class 8 - Erasing the Tape
May 2, 2012 Work on design in class. Review Stuff: 3 Design in the design folder under "design." Final design is justified why you choose your design. back to top
 * Sketchs, drawings or images
 * dimension
 * **views**: top, side, front, isometric
 * exploded view
 * pros
 * cons
 * short description
 * Must show accurate scale
 * Dimensions

Class 9 - Inspiration
May 6, 2012 What inspires you? How does inspiration help Designers? = [|Oren Lavie] - Her Morning Elegance = Demo circle cutter back to top

Class 10 - 17 - Creation Phase
May 8, 2012 - May 28, 2012 Building stuff in the lab.

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Class 18 _ Evaluation Phase
May 30, 2012


 * Product Evaluation:**


 * How does your product solve the Unit Question?
 * How does your product follow from or not follow from your Design Brief?
 * How does your product meet and not meet your Design Specification?


 * Create Phase Evaluation:**


 * What stage of development did you reach?
 * During the Create phase what did you do well?
 * What is one thing you would do differently next time?
 * Rate the following categories

(1) Does not meet expectations – (2) Meets expectations – (3) Exceeds expectations

Craftsmanship: 1 2 3

Appearance: 1 2 3

Appropriate use of materials: 1 2 3

Environmental Impact: 1 2 3

Time management: 1 2 3


 * Planning Phase Evaluation:**


 * How did your plan help you to create your product?
 * What would make your plan better?


 * Design Evaluation:**


 * How did you feel in the design phase? What was challenging?
 * What helped you as designer?


 * Which part of the design cycle did you enjoy the most?**


 * Which part of the design cycle do you enjoy the least?**


 * What personal strength did you discover during the process?**


 * What is one area of growth that you discovered (something you could get better at)?**

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Class 19
June 3, 2012 back to top

Class 20
June 5, 2012