DesignClass | Design & Technology Scotland

January 2021 Update Log

1/11/2021

 
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The updates for January 2021. This will be updated on an ongoing basis.
  • Vector Graphics notes for BGE and National 5 Graphic Communication added.
  • Vector Graphics course tasks added.
  • How to install Inkscape (Vector Graphics) video added
  • How to transfer files from one Vector graphics package to another video added.
  • Structural Engineering notes for BGE and National 5 Engineering Science added.
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering notes for BGE and National 5 Engingeering Science notes added.
  • BGE Design Thinking task and video added (cycling helmet)
  • Fixed the links to Higher Graphic Communication technical graphics Sectional Views worksheets.
  • Created a video on sketching a monster for the Vector Monster task. 
  • Created a video to introduce the BGE Structures unit.
  • Created a 'neolithic structures' additional task in the BGE Structures unit.
  • Added a video about Göbekli Tepe video to BGE Structures unit. 
  • Added a video about basic vector graphics techniques to N5 Graphic Design.
  • Added an unfinished vector graphics monster to N5 Graphic Design.
  • Fixed a MAJOR coding error on the site, where none of the N5 Technical Graphics / Orthographics would load... My fault! Sorry! Huge thank you to Colin Douglas for highlighting this to me! 
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December 2020 Update Log

12/31/2020

 
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  • 3D CAD Models (STEP format) of the Higher 'Sections' Technical Graphics have been added (You will need WinRAR to open the folder and email me for the password).
  • Fixed some of the Higher DTP Challenge task layouts...
  • Fixed some of the N5 DTP Challenge task layouts...
  • A new blog post - S3 Design and Manufacture first project.
  • Design and Manufacture National 5 Course Notes booklet covering 'aesthetics' is now live! :) This was a huge piece of new work, so I would appreciate feedback. A couple of assessments and homework tasks are coming along with it too.
  • New videos on basic rendering techniques for N5 Graphic Communication. This is a companion tasks to illustration of some basic primitive shapes. The task also has a .Blend files and supporting texture map. Perfect little introduction to rendering metal, plastic, glass, and wood.
  • Fixed N5 Graphic Communication DeskTop Publishing Challenges, which were now loading the Higher challenges. Thank you to Rhiann Gibson for pointing this out!  
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DeskMonsters

12/19/2020

 
This is old favourite project - the Desk Monster! A simple brief of creating a monster-themed desk ornament that holds at least one pen or pencil. Pupils are given both a wooden block (in this case 50x50x50mm, and a strip of acrylic (50x120mm). After much iteration with foam and cardboard, pupils move to their final designs. 

I will be posting this as a task in the BGE section of the site in the coming months. 
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S3 Design & Manufacture

12/5/2020

 
This is has been a term to remember - or forget - like no other. Still, I am happy with the progress made. 

Introducing Design and Manufacture to S3 can be a tricky balancing act. Some pupils expect to be completing a course similar to woodwork or metalwork, with nothing but making activities and can be shocked at the level of knowledge and design-theory that is required. Some pupils love blue-sky design thinking, but are nervous of actually making. 

I have experimented with different approaches over the years, but may have struck a winner. I always start with introducing the 'design process' including Briefs, Research and Specifications. This can be somewhat dry and abstract, but I also don't want to go through the full process to design and complex manufacture. 

In this simple task, I provide the pupils with a driving-bit for an electric screwdriver. I will introduce the task by asking pupils to drive in a screw using the driving-bit alone. After much struggling, I then have the class research the problem - they lack a suitable handle. 

I provide a brief (which you can download from the N5 DM section of the site) and pupils analyse this brief, plan and conduct their research. This includes using calipers to measure the driving bit and simple ergonomic/anthropometric research. After the research, a simple Specification is created. 

Usually this is the end of the tale. However,  in this instance, I asked pupils to create simple 2D sketches for concepts then quickly take these to 3D CAD.  For most, their designs required simple revolved profiles. However, some pupils who also do Graphic Communication were able to complete vastly more complex designs.  These models were then 3D printing.

I will probably rant more about 3D printers soon, and how they are sometimes treated as gimmicks in Scottish schools. However, in this case, every pupil printed their model at least once and several actually iterated their designs with subsequent improvements. The class morale was improved; they understood briefs, types of research, specifications and even CAD and 3D printing. 

I'm happy with the results above. Let me know what you think. 
​
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Higher Graphic Communication | Blender

9/5/2020

 
It has been some time since I added a blog post. At the time of my last blog post, I had lots of ambitious ideas about what I would write about. My thoughts on education, design, technology, suppliers, and maybe even politics. Well, it never happened. 

So, I thought I would use this space as a gallery of work and things that interest me instead. I often take lots of photos of things, or have renders and various projects underway, so this will be the space to put them. I often post stuff on Twitter too, but that is limited in space. 

So, what I have here is a small selection of renders made using Blender 2.83. I have been a huge fan of Blender for a number of years, but was hesitant to introduce it to my classes because the workflow, interface and general accessibility of the software was so poor. However, Blender 2.8 changed all that. They have hugely revamped how the software works without compromising on functionality or power. As such, I introduced Blender in the first week back to school of August 2020. Within a week pupils were churning out the renders you see above. 

These were all modelled within Autodesk Inventor 2019, then exported as .STEP files into Blender. I will be making support videos for this process - and general Blender tutorial videos - for the main site very soon. Needless to say, the process is easy enough for pupils to use, whilst also allowing them the excitement (and power) of using a platform with huge industrial use. 

I'll write more about Blender and my thoughts concerning the future direction of Graphic Communication at some point. In the meantime, I thought I would share this pupil work. If you have any thoughts or questions, please post below or email contact@designclass.co.uk

​Scott 
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