digi-school

Craft Magazine - daily

2010-02-19T01:35:00.000-08:00

The digital magazine craftzine which I have subscribed to for a while have started a daily email newsletter which has proved to be very informative. Great little snippets, links and articles which spark the imagination.

Today's group of interesting article is http://fairytalefashion.org/ great textile/fashion site with e-textiles is the one that caught my eye today.

New Future

2010-01-06T02:57:00.001-08:00

Hello

The Design and Making Centre was closed down in autumn 2009 for a variety of reasons. The Design and Making Centre was unique - a one stop shop where teachers and support staff could get help, support, materials and new ideas.

At present the future is uncertain, as the council reviews its future activities. However I will continue to write this blog in a personal capacity. Sorry for the lack of articles and posts in the last couple of months.

Watch this space.

Automist

2009-09-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have just been reading about the automist tap , designed by Yusuf Muhammed and Paul Thomas RCA designers. They have taken an ordinary tap and created a product which detects smoke and then sends out a spray to dampen down the fire. It is one of these products you have to ask when didn't anyone think of this before?

Orla Kiely's workspace

2009-09-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have found this article from the guardian on Orla Kiely's studio. I find other people studio's fascinating places as they reflect the person.

Dr. Marten's airware

2009-09-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

This iconic product sprang into our consciousness in the 1960's as the boot worn by the rebellious youth (the newly invented teenager) who no longer dressed as clones of their parents but had developed 'self expression'. Up until this point the Dr.Marten was the footwear of workmen - hard wearing (indestructible) , kept those little tootsies safe and the air sole was SO comfortable.

I think everyone of a certain age has had a pair. I can remember living in my boots as an art student. They went with anything out of a charity shop, kept your feet warm as the college studios were cold chilly places and you could walk for miles in them. I have very fond memories of those boots.

They haven't been popular in the last 20 years as trainers, skate boots etc have taken there place. However they haven't gone away. I was sitting in a Falmouth cafe in the spring and I was heartened to see they are still worn by art students - and now in such brilliant colours. My 11 year old daughter stated her desire for a purple pair and I will get her some because no mother can possibly say these boots are anything but sensible!!!

Ripley St Thomas D&T department

2009-07-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

I attended a conference this week and was blown away by Ripley St Thomas' GCSE project work in blog format. Not only is the format a brilliant way of creating a digital portfolio but the work was bright, fun, youthful and full of life. You could tell these students love what they do, their personalities shone out.

To do this all you need to do is go to eblogger on google and follow the steps - 30 min's later you can have customised and posted your first topic. Simple and Free.

Alison Willoughby

2009-06-11T05:21:00.000-07:00

Alison Willoughby a brilliant British Textile designer who is well known for her amazing hand crafted skirts however in recent years has branched out into menswear.

Clothkits

2009-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

A great company using textile designers to create kits to sew your own children's clothes. They use brilliant fabric and have a fresh modern look. This company was in fact set up 40 years ago by Anne Kennedy.

'Clothkits make it easy for you to make beautiful quality, well designed clothes without the fuss of paper patterns. All the cutting lines are printed directly on the fabric in a simple format that means even the inexperienced can make garments with ease'

recycled PVC shoes

2009-05-06T01:34:00.000-07:00

Core store have produced a range of 30% recycled PVC shoes (we would call them jelly shoes in the UK). An amount of the proceeds donated to World Vision, a charity dedicated to lifting children out of poverty.

These shoes have very interesting sustainable credentials which is great.

Core77

2009-05-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Don't know if you've ever come across CORE77. They are a digital design magazine where you can keep abreast of innovations in design.

The latest one which caught my eye was the 1 hour business card challenge which produced some very interesting ideas. In schools these short exercises where you have no time to procrastinate can really push creativity.

Stig Lindberg

2009-04-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Swedish 20th century ceramicist. Click on link to see his work

color stripes

2009-03-28T01:47:00.000-07:00

Found this great blog titled 'color-stripes' which is by Kris artist and fashion designer from Italy - a colour diary where colour palettes and photographs are used to great effect.

Sketchbox

2009-03-25T05:36:00.001-07:00

Dropped into a blog title 'a littlehut' written by Patricia Zapata American graphic designer and came across a blog about things she couldn't do without. One thing was a sketch box which hold small cards obviously personalised with her own design. When she has an idea she quickly notes, sketches it down on a card. Interestingly this is separate to her sketchbook and is a more spontaneous thing. they live in the box for the future - I think I might pin them up to remind me. But a great idea - simple one's are the best.

material xperience

2009-03-24T04:26:00.000-07:00

Material innovation - Material Xperience is a professional event for architects, interior designers and engineers. Highly interesting new materials are on display which will stimulate your senses. Interesting type of design.

core77 - design magazine and resource

2009-03-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

I thought they explained themselves so well why rewrite it -

'Since 1995 Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits.'

This site is worth a look and recommend you subscribe to their newsletter.

Designer in focus 2 - Issey Myake

2009-03-05T07:02:00.000-08:00

Miyake was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1938. He established the Miyake Design Studio in 1970 and started to show his line at the Paris Collections in 1973.

Designer in focus 1 - Kei Ito

2009-03-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

Kei Ito is a Japanese graphic designer who has switched to fashion design.

She create amazing sculptural costumes using the natural world as her inspiration.

inspirational space 8

2009-02-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

Tokyo street - I love the colours, shapes, light

inspirational space 7

2009-02-25T14:45:00.000-08:00

There isn't a space left!

Develop3D mgazine

2009-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

This is great magazine from X3DMedia which looks at technological aspects of manufacture and production. Great if your able to have access to rapid prototyping technologies. They have a free PDF download version at present on their website - link

Lego Digital Designer

2009-02-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

This is a great free downloadable piece of software. Ideal for younger children (but equally suitable for older students when modeling ideas). I especially like the the grid could correlate with an actual sheet of grid paper. You can build you models by selecting piece and then use building guide player to watch a video clip of your model being made. It does more... best thing is to download and have a go. lego site

Antartic research buildings

2009-02-19T06:47:00.000-08:00

Designs for a research buildings to be sited in Antarctica are amazing. These giant pods on legs with ski's attached - yes ski's. This grew out of the need for moving buildings as the ice shelf changes in this region. The Science museum has some great information about this project.

Traditions - The Paisley Pattern

2009-02-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Some designs just keep getting reinvented or get revitalised such as the paisley pattern which

was brought back to Britain from India in the 19th century -

Find out more with this link block printing

STEM Advisory Forum

2009-02-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

The STEM Advisory Forum is a web-based resource designed to promote
discussion about STEM-related matters. It hosts a series of discussions
and the current one on 'Inter-disciplinary work - friend or foe to STEM'

DMC Newsletter 05

2009-02-12T03:01:00.000-08:00

The focus of this newsletter is forth coming events.

Future designer

2009-02-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

This is a great website set up to give help and advice about the career options in the design industry.

Where to study. What to study. and much more

Worth a look.

Scalextric4schools

2009-01-15T02:08:00.000-08:00

NOW FULLY BOOKED READ ABOUT THIS COURSE IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER OUT IN MARCH 2009

Get your class prepared for Scalextric4schools challenge by downloading and ordering all the components you need to race.

A date for your diary

The DMC are hosting a ProEngineering Course on the 24th and 25th Feb 2009 and the scaletrix4schools resource will be used on this day. This course includes a class pack of materials for the car project. Course tutor will be Tim Brotherhood of PTC.

Still some places left for this course contact the DMC by tel 01209 719 354 or email dmcentre@cornwall.gov.uk

Automake

2008-11-26T04:21:00.000-08:00

Automake produces unique one-off products using a 3D printer. Using special software, the designer selects a 'mould' (e.g. a bowl shape) which is filled with randomly selected units, looking a little like K'nex connectors. The designer has some control over how the mould is filled, but ultimately produces unexpected and unique products.

The automake software is FREE to download and try - you can even send your design to be made on a 3D Printer (if you have one!)

http://www.automake.co.uk/

Pantone

2008-11-06T06:12:00.000-08:00

Pantone fashion color reports fall 2008 and spring 2009 it is a great industrial link - featuring lovely sketches and colour palettes by well known designers

The think Tanks is part of the pantone website - Look especially at colour fundamentals it has good background information about colour

3D printer links

2008-11-04T01:52:00.000-08:00

A couple of interesting links for teachers interested in 3D printing technology.

A free and easy-to-use software for low-cost 3D laser scanning!

RepRap is short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper

Sketchup 'Design your dwelling competition'

2008-11-03T01:26:00.000-08:00

If you've never looked at the Sketchup software then do it is great. They have a blog , it your register they send a digital newsletter and this months newsletter has the winners of their 'Design your dwelling competition'. The winner was Drew Wilgus, intern architect from North Carolina - have a look at his winning model

Green design link to Dezeen

2008-10-27T02:29:00.000-07:00

Dezeen design magazine has an interesting selection of green designs

Patchwork by Amy Hunting

Layer upon layer

2008-10-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

These pieces by Blend Creations are about the natural wood contrasting with the man made metal and the precision of manufacture. This idea is so simple and looks fabulous.

2008-10-17T10:38:00.001-07:00

Jewellery designers Cristina Aucone from Portland, Oregon goes by the name of Modica designs. Cristina uses resin and wood to make lovely pieces of jewellery. She is interested in the contrast between the natural and man made materials.

Coral inspired jewellery

2008-10-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

'Tiny circles of varying sizes are aggregated into complex configurations that mimic the natural forms of corals and seaweeds ' their very words to describe some very delicate and elegant jewellery by nervous system.

From 2D to 3D

2008-10-17T10:20:00.001-07:00

tick tock

2008-10-15T01:57:00.000-07:00

Found this brilliant article about contemporary time pieces on designboom

multicolour search lab

2008-10-14T02:59:00.000-07:00

We have found this lovely website called multicolour search lab where you can search for images from Alamy stock photographs by colour. Simply click on the palette at the side and watch them come up.

Decals

2008-10-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Wall or window decal by skinny la minx

Why not make your own using a CraftRobo and Vinyl .

inspiration space 6

2008-09-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

inspiration space 5

2008-09-22T04:10:00.001-07:00

Display of handling collection using white cardboard boxes

Moondial

2008-09-17T14:12:00.001-07:00

Moondial is a great new blog I discovered when researching technological textiles. It has a rather grand header title FASHIONABLE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM, basically the focus of this blog is new technologies and application of technologies. Have a read you will enjoy!

Real meals

2008-09-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

New on teachernet are a set of recipes, chosen as their favourite by young people. They are available for free download in pdf format. There are elements in top tips which can bring in the choice needed to develop a design specification.

Book 1

2008-09-10T03:46:00.001-07:00

Fashioning technology by Syuzi Pakhchyan.

Great book of those interested in electronics in textiles

It is published by Craftzine.com the online Craft magazine - another recommendation along with there sister magazine makezine.com

Building blocks with a twist

2008-08-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

Company named TOYPOGRAPHY manufacture these charming letters which are also building blocks. They start as the English animal name and are designed to transform into the Chinese symbol for that animal.

dvice - design review website

2008-08-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

dvice - Product design / ideas / concepts review website - endless ideas. This pen design to me seems like a great laser cutter or plotter project.

designer focus 1 - textiles

2008-08-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

Virginia Johnson is a textile designer and illustrator based in Canada. To read more about her work click here

dezeen architecture magazine

2008-08-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

dezeen digital magazine - there mission is to show case architectural projects - however there is a lot more, even an international job section. Well worth registering for their newsletter.

shop front

2008-08-29T01:41:00.000-07:00

Mechanical paint display in Harvey Nichols shop Edinburgh

sketchpad 4

2008-08-28T06:32:00.001-07:00

Grainedit

sketchpad 3

2008-08-21T04:49:00.001-07:00

annie goyal

'sitscape'

2008-08-21T04:39:00.000-07:00

This is a great blog I've discovered by the Institute for advanced Architecture of Catalonia iaacblog

This is an example of digital cutting technologies.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside......

2008-08-18T03:14:00.001-07:00

Adorable beach hut but Studiomama

inspiration space 4

2008-08-18T01:47:00.000-07:00

Sense of place

2008-07-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

New partner in 'Sense of Place' who produces high quality learning activities and resources for Early Years, Primary and Secondary settings across Cornwall. We look forward to working with them in the future.

inspiration space 3

2008-07-29T01:23:00.001-07:00

messy and interesting

Marimekko

2008-07-28T01:27:00.001-07:00

Marimekko’s basic philosophy – design is inspired by beautiful everyday life. This iconic design house is still going strong and has just entered into a deal with H&M.

Walking bike

2008-07-22T06:12:00.001-07:00

Yorgo Tloupas' walking bike

inspiration space 2

2008-07-22T06:05:00.001-07:00

Inspiration wall of a fashion designer

sketchpad 2

2008-07-08T01:45:00.001-07:00

Sketchpad of a textile designer

Solar powered leaves

2008-07-08T01:07:00.000-07:00

Found this great blog article on designsojourn about Samuel Cabot Cochran's , as part of his final year thesis. Solar panels inspired by leaves. well worth a read.

Philippe Starck's school of design

2008-07-07T04:33:00.000-07:00

BBC Two and Philippe Starck are teaming up for a brand new TV series to find the next great British designer

sketchpad 1

2008-07-07T03:23:00.000-07:00

A under used resource and I personally find the most interesting when visiting exhibitions, student shows etc.

inspiration spaces 1

2008-07-07T03:11:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new section titled 'inspiration spaces' - as a designer, artist, writer, any occupation in fact you need to create an environment where you feel comfortable, inspired and productive. It could be neat tidy and highly organised or organic, messy, eclectic - whatever it is it always reflects your personality and I just love to see other peoples work spaces.

This first one is the old favourite the cork pin board.

ffffound

2008-07-07T03:09:00.000-07:00

Great blog ffffound (not a spelling mistake) where you can get inspiration and add to well worth a rummage.

designed.cornwall

2008-06-30T05:59:00.000-07:00

Brilliant show case for D&T in schools. Last weeks designed.cornwall exhibition hosted by University Falmouth was a fabulous event -

OBE for DMC manager

2008-06-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to David Prest (Cornwall’s county advisor for Design and Technology and manager of the DMC) on being awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to Design and Technology.
He would like to thank the many teachers in the County that make Cornwall such a hotspot for D&T.

DMC NEWSLETTER ISSUE 02

2008-06-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

Focus of newsletter is the use of nature as a stimulus for design.

Read more

Biomimicry

2008-06-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

The study of nature's best ideas and imitation to solve human problems

At present we are working on a new bio mimicry resource pack for the schools so we are immersed in this subject. I have discovered that the tree hugger website have a load of interesting articles on this subject worth a look.

Ten gun salute to an amazing talent

2008-06-03T04:56:00.000-07:00

Yves Saint Laurent died 1st June 2008 after a long illness.

His career took off in 1957 when Christian Dior died and at the great age of 21years took over as couture designer for the House of Dior and is credited for turning the fortunes of that great fashion house around. He had a extraordinary talent and his legacy will endure far beyond his death. For a more detailed biography look at the Biography Channel

Adobe online seminars - ePortfolios

2008-05-28T02:32:00.000-07:00

Enhanced ePortfolios for education using Acrobat Thursday, June 5, 2008 11:00 A.M. (usa time)

Learn how Acrobat enable students and faculty to easily organize and collect information from a variety of sources into a rich PDF Portfolio, collaborate and share documents and portfolios in real time and collect and manage feedback into a single pdf document.

Miss Print

2008-05-20T14:07:00.001-07:00

Miss Print British wall paper and textile design company. Designers Yvonne and Rebecca Drury design and hand print there collection from their London based studio. You don't have to be big to be successful.

Jig Store

2008-05-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Tom Seymour very interesting product designer seems to have a Passion for interlocking products.

Japanese designers in focus 1.1

2008-05-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

Street furniture by Naho Matsuno . Naho designs a range of products and furniture, all with clean free lines, nature of materials coming out and all with a twist, just a little whimsical.

Takeshi Miyakawa design established in 2001 creates unusual furniture. His designs use flat planes, sharp edges, smooth textures, boxes in boxes - very inspiring. His designs are more severe, sharp than Naho's, brutal yet refined.

Reclaimed sculptures

2008-05-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

These sculptures by 3D Edddy califronian artist are charming - Can't you just see KS1 and KS2 children creating art for the school garden ( scarecrows?). These could be an interesting take on the old favourite the self portrait.

Birdhouses

2008-05-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Found these birdhouses from http://www.renga-arts.com/ a site which sells products made from recycled materials designed by American artists. The Birdhouses are the work of Josef Szuecs (pronounced 'sooch') artist / designer working in the field of functional art and furnishings from reclaimed wood and other materials.

The materials used within the birdhouses are all reclaimed and are chosen for their ability to age with attitude - colour, textures etc

I think they are great and with a bit of adaption -Josef hasn't played with the basic birdhouse form only the decoration. If you go back to basics and ask the right questions such as - What does a bird need in a birdhouse? I think there is a good project here.

Flipside teenage science magazine

2008-05-08T02:21:00.000-07:00

Have you discovered this magazine aimed at the teenage magazine with articles about movies, music, games, sport, wildlife, science, adventure. It is a great looking magazine with fabulous photography. This months issue has a great article on taking electronic toys apart and reusing the electronic components.

Flipside is produced by the Institution of Engineering and Technology with funding from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). It also has support from the top organisations in science, engineering and technology, ranging from the Natural History Museum to the Royal Society.

This is sounding like I have shares in the company - but when something is good you need to shout about it.

'Maple Seed' Flying Cameras

2008-05-08T02:10:00.000-07:00

Are as interested in Biomimicry as we are - How about this maple seed inspired flying camera developed by Lockheed Martin for military use. We found this http://gizmodo.com great site with definite street cred with older students.

The clever, humorous and down right ridiculous

2008-04-11T04:22:00.000-07:00

Skinny Lamix

2008-04-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.skinnylaminx.com/ - has a great blog posting about Folly cove textile designers 1938 based in Massachusetts, USA.

Elastico bookshelf by Arianna Vivenzio

2008-04-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Brilliantly simple idea for a bookshelf by Arianna Vivenzio

hale furniture

2008-04-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

HALE - This company specialise in furniture made from single folded sheet material

http://ffffound.com

2008-04-09T05:21:00.000-07:00

http://ffffound.com/- Very interesting web/blog site for product, textiles, graphics - design in general.

DMC NEWSLETTER ISSUE 01

2008-04-09T04:27:00.000-07:00

Read now

smart textileson youtube

2008-03-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

EuroNews - EN - Futuris: Textiles of the future in Futuris

Smart Textiles Cetemmsa

Philips Lumalive photonic textiles

These are just a few of the many

The new KS3 statutory orders for D&T

2008-03-19T02:33:00.000-07:00

If you need information, planning strategy and practical help download our information. Request the MS Word Documents by emailing dmcentre@cornwall.gov.uk

Clever packaging

2008-03-19T02:29:00.000-07:00

Art from one piece of paper

2008-03-19T02:24:00.000-07:00

One entries for an Art contest at the Hirshhorn Modern Art Gallery in DC. The rule was that the artist could use only one sheet of paper. Try doing this with a Roland CAM1.

PingMag - playground for the elderly

2008-01-30T04:15:00.000-08:00

Japan has an aging problems like the UK. The need for a holistic approach to health is important. This idea for a playground for the elderly seems quirky and amusing but very ingenious.

This mag is full of great ideas. Well worth a read through.

designista

2008-01-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Designista, a web based design shop filled with young and unique designers. It is a great inspriation resource for the humourous and light hearted forms of design.

OOKL

2007-10-23T11:47:00.001-07:00

Amy Butler free download patterns

2007-10-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Great resource especially when it is free. Look at Amy Butlers work - excellent use of patterns. Then download or buy her patterns to be adapted by your students.

extraverage productions

2007-08-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

Fab example of a digital portfolio - Portfolio of Karoly Kiralyfalvi 2000-2007

mike & chris collection

2007-07-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

mike & chris - a husband and wife team behind this clothing line

Ironwood gourmet grind design mills and tapas set

2007-07-10T13:21:00.001-07:00

Ironwood Gourmet's new Grind Design Mills bring a new twist to the table.

Flat pack ready to assemble house

2007-07-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Gregg Fleishman's flatpack house - find out more details through treehugger

Gorilla shirt

2007-06-29T12:31:00.001-07:00

Noticed this small picture and instantly thought this could be done in the classroom - looks simple and effective. The idea of layering textures and patterns is still current and could easily be achieved in the studio with your students - could this be sublimation printing with embroidery or Texiprint with puff paints ?- could you use stencils cut on a vinyl cutter?

colour selection manual

2007-06-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

Color Index by Jim Krause - I would recommend this wee book as a must in any studio / design room. I find it invaluable tool when selecting colour palettes. It also explains colour theory brilliantly.

ole', ole'

2007-06-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting Canadian website from a jewellery designer Mlle Lemieux. She works with recycled and vintage jewelry , very simple designs but great colours and textures - Can see this as a sublimation printing exercise with and emphasis on textures , colour and pattern with out much cost involved.

Reconstructed sweater

2007-06-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Found this within the sustainable style (pool) by woof nanny

Could this be an interesting project?