Different Designs 2

4x4 product analysis and design sheets are widely used in schools, particularly at KS3, to help stimulate ideas amongst students in product design. Initial ideas or existing products are included as the start point and the sheets passed to other students to make suggestions and improvements to the design in the four boxes available, from different perspectives. The sheets are then returned to the original student to consider the ideas.

This pdf contains twelve 4x4 planning sheets inspired by ‘Chindogu’ in which inventions with a twist are brought about by considering solutions outside the normal range. They might be dusters on cats’ feet for clearing the floor, portable lampposts or a device for warning when your shoe laces become undone. Some of the ideas might lead to practical solutions while others are just meant as a stimulus to encourage students to think beyond the bounds of ‘normal’ designing.

The sheets include prompts for designing such things as a non-drip teaspoon, a disguise for primary children wanting to observe wildlife, finger extensions for eating fast food and keeping your hands clean, and a clean way of walking over a muddy lawn. The prompts on the four boxes encourage students to consider how these might be adapted or changed to perform other functions, or packaged for different markets.

The ideas on the sheets can also be used as useful starters or plenaries to inspire creative thinking.

These twelve sheets provide a good companion to the original Different Designs set.