Design Technology

DT Club

This year in DT club, led by Mr Futter, students have been making small wooden boxes. They have been using finger joints to connect the sides of the pine wood. This teaches them the skills of using the jig saw, sanding machine and learning how to correctly mark out wood. Once all the pieces of pine had been cut out, they then had to glue them together with PVA. To finish off the boxes, the girls sanded down the pine to get a smooth finish before waxing them with beeswax.

Some thoughts of the Year 7s that attend.

“I come to DT club because I really enjoy the subject and want to learn new skills. I also like to go to as many clubs as possible and DT is really different to the other ones that I do.” Jemima Hughes-Javis, Year 10

“I like making stuff. Coming to DT lets me be creative.” Anjali Karia, Year 10

2I haven’t been able to do much DT before, so I came to DT club to try something new.” Ellie Colbourne, Year 10

“I just really like making stuff.” Clemmie

“DT club is really fun. We are a making a box. I enjoy it a lot!” Agnes Hall, Year 10

Recommendations

To get more from the DT department try out BBC ‘The Big Life Fix’ which gives an excellent representation of iterative design. Also check out ‘Design for life’ which is similar to The Apprentice for designers. London Design Festival 2018

We started the day at the 100% design exhibition in Olympia which was such an amazing place to start as it showed us the variety of designs we would be seeing for the rest of the day. Some of the best products were the lights as each designer had come up with so many creative and innovative designs that really made me look at materials and processes in a different way.

We then went to some other design exhibitions such as the design museum on Southbank where there was loads of small businesses, again showcasing their products. One thing that particularly stood out to me was an area that had velvet sofas and multi-coloured lights and various unique pieces of furniture. It really inspired me to think about how lighting can influence the way you look at designs. Overall, this day way so useful as I have gained so much inspiration from so many different designers and products that I hope to take forward and use for my A Level.

Caitlin Grosvenor, Year 12

GCSE coursework 2019

As you can see in the picture below, this clock by Amelia Hall will only allow you to access your key between 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock in the moring and evening. This mechanical time lock ensures that the keys are safe and secure as they are only accessible at the times known to the user.

Design Technology

The ‘Heart’ Shelf by Felicity Rylattm Year 11 Cassia Fillingham designed a product to help dementia.The electronics used in the product include 1. a reminder to eat – the fan that switches on and wafts scent towards user at the times 6am, 12am and 6pm. 2. a buzzer after an hour of inactivity to remind user to stand up and move around. 3. a foot warmer that is activated by the foot pressure switch 4. LDR lights that turn on when there are low light levels for user safety to prevent any trip hazards

Sophia Maroo designed a dog bed.

Storage Unit by Thushika Ravichandran, Year 11

Year 13 Coursework

Hermione Morris designed a study desk with a laptop platform, which can be folded into a book shelf, perfect for university students.