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This project is only one of many. Materials such as Copic markers are what design professionals use to create high-level projects, and bring a very professional look to student work in both architectural and automotive design drawings. Watercolor paint and brushes are essential in creating realistic graphic renderings, and give students the opportunity to freely express their creative potential--which not only helps them develop into exceptional problem-solvers (essential for 21st Century jobs) but the excitement these projects generate helps some of my students stay in school. It motivates them to show up and eventually graduate! In these visual communications classes, we use industry-standard methods and tools, and really push high-level creative thinking; so the kids get a real-world sense--they can really see themselves working in a creative career environment. Students are learning about how design improves the lives of others and the world around them. We study green design (environmentally sustainable) and universal design (designing with ALL people in mind, no matter their physical abilities) when we do our Industrial Design unit--which includes product design, automotive, and architecture. For example, the kids are challenged to design a school addition that will accommodate 1000 more students, will utilize self-sustaining energy sources, integrating technology and building styles that will be easily accessible by all students, regardless of physical ability. When we do our automotive design unit, we are delving deeply into the realm of commercialism and consumerism, as well as environmental responsibility, while we are learning effective design principles. This is exposing kids to career development ideas that they may not have otherwise considered.
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