Toy Design
The design process is a valuable approach to many tasks; it uses all parts of our mind, puts our hands to work, and turns up unexpected results!
In this class, we take a broad look at what constitutes “toy” and “play.” Girls build their ideas around activities and issues of their own choice. In other words, this is not a class about tickle-me-elmos or plastic blocks. Each student defines her own audience and type of play – it could be anything from an interactive console for sharing photos to a new type of sporting equipment to a room-size dream mobile as a concept for displaying favorite memorabilia.
Students move quickly through each step in the design process. Each girl starts with a general concept and narrows her field through research. Then she brainstorms a variety of ideas, choosing her favorite ones to explore in sketches and 3-D mock-ups. At the end of the class, she assembles a portfolio of her work – from the initial inspiration and market boards to some example sketches to the final model.
This is a fun, engaging and powerful approach that applies to so many types of projects and unlocks academic strengths within each student.