3D DESIGN

3D information

The 3D department has dramatically changed its provision this September but one year ago, things were very different. September started (as it always does) with the Lower School enjoying practical projects as well as learning new technologies.

particular hit among the

AFirst Years was the ‘Mini Succulents’ project which introduced pupils to the world of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing. Pupils were tasked with design and making a 3D printed Succulent Holder of their own design. A handful of outcomes can be seen below.

A small number of Second Years took part in our annual trip to ‘Teen Tech’ held in Surrey. Pupils learn about advances in Design and Technology specifically in the UK but also worldwide. Pupils are able to experience many of the activities first hand and also take part in larger competitions against other visiting schools. The pupils returned having learned a range of transferable skills and knowledge.

Earlier this year, the Fourth Years began their coursework component which requires an external trip. Leighton House in Kensington has welcomed the Fourth Year pupils for the Second Year in a row. On entering the museum, pupils are greeted by the Museum Curator and provided with a tour in which they learn about Sir Leighton. Shortly afterwards, they enjoy a short drawing skills workshop led by the Museum Artist in Residence. The rest of the time is theirs to document and record the vast interiors on the Museum. The entirety of their first coursework component is based on this visit and many months’ later pupils produce a product and portfolio in response to the house.

With the closure of schools and pupils now reliant on virtual learning, it provided the opportunity to experiment with new projects. In a normal school day, many of our pupils would enjoy design and practical based learning. Now, home-based we tried to ensure pupils still had access to problem solving and creative challenges. The ‘GOOD Design’ project was in response to the Covid pandemic. Over a period of four weeks, Second Years were tasked with solving one of three problems which were affecting society due to the outbreak. Social exclusion and growing food inside the home, specifically for those that lived in flats with no access to outdoor space proved a challenging task. We had numerous excellent ideas and prototypes but a handful of the most successful are below. The opportunity to think about others and design to solve ‘real life’ challenges affecting those day to day is fundamental to our subject.

Other successful projects included learning about Origami and making structures to bridge gaps and withstand the most weight. First Years worked hard to undertake these challenges and produced some interesting outcomes. Third Years were tasked with identifying an area of exclusivity in the home. They could work in pairs, communicating remotely but had to redesign a simple object in the home which was either of poor design or excluded individual users i.e. those with arthritis or for any other reason they knew of. This culminated in a series of design sketches and prototypes and a Teams presentation to the class. The outcomes were superb and highly professional.

GCSE and A level pupils continued to work hard over the duration of lock down and ensured their subsequent coursework was of the highest standard. The quality of submissions this year really was superb and demonstrated a demanding level of concept and finish.

I’d like to thank all of the pupils which worked hard to engage with the 3D lessons provided to them. Outcomes on the whole were truly excellent and demonstrated an exceptional level of perseverance in challenging times.