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Ted the snail's dream house.
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Re-design: Students will draw their re-designs of one or more objects or devices from their home so that it works better, looks better, and does more.
For one of my first Art After School classes of the season at St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School, we talked about some elements of design, and took a look at some objects that have been significantly re-designed over the years. Then, students were asked to think of an item or area in their homes and how it might be improved through a re-design. I was pleased with this project - firstly because the ideas the kids came up with were inventive, fun and sometimes funny, too (like the re-designed swimming pool that replaces water with melted chocolate), and secondly because it's exciting to introduce this concept to young kids. I like the idea of kids recognizing the design in objects and environments that constantly surround them - even the most seemingly innocuous - considering how effective the elements are, and forming an opinion about how something might be improved. This is an exercise that can be practiced anywhere, even if only in one's mind for a minute or two.
Incidentally, in class the students also took note of the design of my poor shoes, which they decided were far too worn down considering I'd only been wearing them for a few months. Touché, kiddos - duly noted!
Image above: a re-designed house for a pet snail named Ted, featuring a castle house, shallow pool, snail music, water dispenser, feeding ball, mini tire swing, snail candy dispenser, and larger, brighter light.
