Design for Manufacture Project
About
Make a start combining the concepts of design with hands on practical physical and digital development. Design for manufacture allows students to get real experience into designing and developing a wider range of outcomes and improve their practical skills and allows for the development of a makerspace in your school that is not confined to more traditional practical rooms.
Start with learning basic skills and capabilities across a range of software that can then be tested in situ using manufacturing equipment that you have or can gain access to. (3d Printers, Laser Cutters, CNC, Vacuum formers, air brushes, T-shirt printers, etc.)
We then move into the investigation and conceptualisation of innovative ideas to the practical development and testing of product components and concepts, considering how designing for manufacture shapes our everyday experiences.
Acquire the skills to craft compelling and functional products, allowing you to make a lasting outcome that you thought of and made.
Whether you're sketching initial concepts or refining prototypes, this expedition will empower you to navigate, create, and innovate within a constantly evolving landscape. Get ready to uncover the intricacies of product design, where ideas transform into tangible, user-friendly solutions!
~~~ Big Ideas in Design for Manufacture ~~~
The discipline of Digital Technologies embodies whanaungatanga. Outcomes are made by people, for people, within cultural, social, and environmental contexts
It's all about creating connections and relationships. In the world of video game design, this idea is essential. Games are made by people, like artists, programmers, and storytellers, for people like you, within unique cultural, social, and environmental settings. The characters, stories, and worlds in video games reflect the creativity, values, and perspectives of their creators. When you play a game, you're connecting with the minds and cultures behind it.
Digital outcomes are created for a purpose by following established processes
This connects to the idea that digital outcomes are made by following established processes. Game designers follow a series of steps to bring their ideas to life. They plan, sketch, program, and test their games to make sure they work well. These processes help ensure that the games serve a purpose, whether it's to entertain, educate, or tell a powerful story.
The discipline of Digital Technologies embodies auahatanga. Outcomes solve problems and enhance and expand human possibilities.
Video games are more than just fun and entertainment. They can challenge your problem-solving skills, enhance your creativity, and let you experience amazing worlds and adventures you might not encounter in real life. Video games are like interactive stories that empower you to make choices, overcome challenges, and explore your potential.
All digital technologies are underpinned by algorithms and computer science principles
These are the secret codes that make the digital world tick. In video games, algorithms help determine how characters move, how the environment behaves, and how the game responds to your actions. Understanding these principles can unlock the door to endless possibilities in creating and enjoying games.
~~~ OVERVIEW OF COURSE ~~~
The course starts with eight weeks of learning and skill development in Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator to create your own vector graphics along with touching on a little bit of photo editing in Gimp or Abobe Photoshop. This is an opportunity to develop all the skills that you'll need without any assessment or risk and have some fun.
After you have an idea of your own capabilities and the capabilities of the software, you'll decide on what you'll make for your project and then design it. This will help you create your Design Portfolio that you must can use to help you answer the question in the Design DCAT, AS92007, that will be held at the end of the year.
After you finish the design you get to make the thing you designed. This will be around 8 weeks of work where you will plan and develop what you designed, testing and getting feedback along the way to make it better. This will be assessed by your teacher in AS92005 - Develop a digital technologies outcome, for 5 credits.
By the middle of term 3 you'll have your outcome finished and you will move on to study for your two DCAT Exams. As mentioned above, one of the DCATS will be AS92007- Design a digital technologies outcome and the other will be either AS92006 - Demonstrate understanding of usability in human computer interfaces OR [insert programming]. The content and knowledge for this is all contained in the unit shown below. This computer science concept is seen throughout all digital technologies and will help you get a much better understanding of interfaces as you move on to further study in digital technologies in following years. Each of the DCATs are worth 5 credits.
~~~ TIMELINE ~~~
~~~ COURSE MATERIAL ~~~
Learn Fusion360
(approximately 8 weeks)
Learn the basics
Design
(approximately 10 weeks)
You'll learn SQL and Database design and combine them with Python to make a basic Database Application. Includes the option to extend this into a basic Web Application using the Flask Web Framework for Python.
Development
(approximately 8 weeks)
You'll learn the basics of HTML and CSS to display content in the browser. You will then create your own design (from the previous unit) or a design given to you.
HCI OR PROGRAMMING
(approximately 4 weeks)
Understand Human Computer Interaction through Neilsens Heuristics and be able to identify good and bad interfaces in a variety of applications. This will assist in helping you design good webpages and applications in the future.
NZ CURRICULUM
Digital Technologies Progress Outcomes
In authentic contexts, students investigate and consider possible solutions for a given context or issue. With support, they use an iterative process to design, develop, store and test digital outcomes, identifying and evaluating relevant social, ethical and end-user considerations. They use information from testing and apply appropriate tools, techniques, procedures and protocols to improve the quality of the outcomes and to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and meet end-user requirements.