THE ARTS
CREATIVITY AND 3D DESIGN To ensure the girls who are considering which GCSE subjects to choose are given an idea of everything that’s on offer, we operate a ‘creative carousel’ in L5, where they experience all the creative topics to get a true feel for the subject. George Greed, Teacher of 3D Design, gives us an insight into this creative area. Whether it’s emerging from the sparks and flames of a welding and brazing workshop, seeing the digital model you’ve worked on finally get 3D printed, or sitting quietly sketching your next big idea; 3D Design offers a diverse, creative and challenging course.
product design, jewellery, architecture and more. They get the opportunity to utilise the wealth of specialist tools and equipment we have as a School, and then see their design ideas come to life using traditional and more modern materials. The Department also embraces the School’s digital strategy, having moved to cloud-based CAD software and extensive use of OneNote, to allow work to continue even when not in the classroom.
I’ve always had a fascination with how things are made; exploring how I can take a few simple materials and turn them into something that serves a genuine purpose in my life. However, finding joy and satisfaction in the making process, regardless of outcome, is probably the part of design I enjoy the most. It is this curiosity and exploration of the creative journey that I want to foster in the pupils here; lighting the spark and equipping them with an attitude that can carry the girls in any direction.
At GCSE, the ‘Lamps and Lighting’ project we run is a great example of the diversity of ideas that are generated, with girls working to the brief across woods, metals and plastics. The outcomes are strikingly different, yet at their core, all play with ideas of transparency and shadow. Something particularly exciting is when a pupil chooses to tackle a material area that we don’t commonly teach. Ekaterina Zharikova (U5) was inspired by resin sculptures she had seen, so set about learning the skills necessary to mould and cast crystals out of resin to adorn the top of her lamp. This trial and error approach proved successful and the knock-on effect was other pupils pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve.
Day to day, there is a focus on practical experiences and building a diverse understanding of design in the broadest sense. In the workshops and design studio, pupils are always busy exploring
This pupil-led approach is key to our offering, as the girls benefit from developing their independence across the years. Starting with more structure to build skills and confidence, projects in
07 The VOICE Autumn/Winter 2020
the youngest year groups include plastic keyrings, wooden desk storage and metal garden ornaments. Further up the School, we then become facilitators as pupils work with more control of their direction. 3D Design isn’t all about making though, and there is a wealth of transferable skills that naturally find their way into the flow of a project. Clear written, visual and verbal communication is developed as the girls document their work and share ideas with teachers and the class. The general workflow improves their discipline and organisation, as well as logical problemsolving as pupils get to crossroads and need to work out their next steps, drawing on all the knowledge they’ve gathered. There are cross-curricular links to Maths and Science too, such as the understanding of material properties, working knowledge of forces, and a grasp of Maths for shapes, marking out and costing. I am continually impressed by the output and attitude of our pupils here at Sherborne Girls, taking pride in the work they produce and understanding its value. I hope we are able to open our doors in the near future and exhibit some of their fantastic work, giving it an opportunity to be seen and appreciated by a wider audience. George Greed, Teacher of Art, Design and Technology
