A resource to explore the environmental and ethical and moral impact of design and manufacturing on the planet. Several case studies are used to explore sustainability issues and the ethical alternatives. I made it as an optimistic resource that shows students there are viable, sustainable alternatives to current, unsustainable design and manufacturing. Concepts and content includes, sustainable and unsustainable design, renewable and non renewable energy sources, product life cycle analysis, six R’s of sustainability, up cycling and the hidden costs of design.

An introduction to drawing skills and processes with activities to consolidate understanding of each method or process.

An investigation into renewable and non renewable energy sources with a comprehensive description of alternatives and benefits for sustainable energy sources.

A resource developed for years seven, eight or nine to improve graphic skills and presentation of ideas. The seven tasks begin with thick and thin line technique, rendering materials and texture. Students are given 'sample sheets' of black and white rendered forms that show how tonal detail and specific materials would appear rendered in both monochrome and colour. Students are then prompted to look at how to combine colour with tone and texture. The Powerpoint contains all the visual resources and examples needed to complete the assignment.

Introduction and tasks to develop students ability to recognise and describe a basic range of composite materials

A Powerpoint presentation designed to prepare students for the impending unit one exam based on the theme of seating for public spaces for adults and young children. The resource explores and explains design process terminology from the purpose of a brief to evaluation with lots of visual examples and illustrations. The final page is an exam style task that follows the AQA assessment criteria.

A Powerpoint presentation containing a range of inititial concepts and inspiration for seating design. I made it for the AQA resistant materials 2017 theme 'public seating for adults and young children.' It explores seating generally with some directly relevant to external seating concepts. Some of them combine hand drawn examples enhanced digitally which students enjoy.

An information and research task for students and teachers to investigate a range of mechanical fixings, knock down fittings and adhesives. A wide range of examples are covered along with practical applications with reasons for use. The closing slides contain a comprehension exercise and question sheet for students to complete. The resource contains lots of images and reference to real world applications.

A detailed guide to making text images from pictures using Adobe Photoshop text mask tools. A really useful resource for art, graphics and photography students. Includes instructions for enhancing text with shadows, embossing tools and other effects to make a text image really stand out. Lots of practical assistance and examples included.

A rich visual investigation into traditional timber construction methods along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Each family of joining methods are described in photographs and diagrams together with the reasons for use.

An investigation with comprehension exercises to support the teaching of timbers and manufactured boards along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Timbers and boards are described along with their physical and mechanical characteristics and reasons for use.

An investigation with comprehension exercises to support the teaching of modern and smart materials along with their typical applications in the real world.

A great idea for an assignment or enrichment activity. Build your own terrifying T Rex bookend beast to guard your books with this detailed construction tutorial containing all the templates and construction plans needed to bring him to life. Adapt the detailed plans to suit your own KS3 scheme of work.

A focused investigation into different types of paper and card together with their uses with reasons designed for AQA product design. The pack also explores printing techniques and processes with their uses. Students have a set of questions and tasks to consolidate their learning. Its a very visual resource designed for a board display.

A guided investigation into a variety of surface finishes and protection for a range of materials together with the reasons for their use in manufacturing. Students have a set of questions and tasks to complete to consolidate their learning.

A guided investigation beginning with stock forms of availability and progressing into an analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of a range of materials together with their working properties. The resource then analyses basic fabrication processes and how these impact different scales of hand and commercial production for a variety of materials together with their uses in manufacturing. Students have a set of questions and tasks to complete to consolidate their learning.

A task designed to introduce simple mechanisms and develop work shop skills when possibly producing in quantity. This a comprehensive and very visual resource that lends itself to a production based, or focussed practical task for year nine or ten students. The task includes opportunity for some differentiation in terms of the level of sophistication of possible outcomes. Clear, concise instructions guide every step of production and assembly. A really fun task to explore batch production and team work. I also plan to use it to help develop students ability to plan the production of a chosen outcome by identifying the resources needed and the correct, logical sequence of construction and assembly.

A resource I designed and made for year nine or ten product design. Students study the basics of motion, mechanisms and force to produce a crank driven garden decoration. It isn’t a heavily prescriptive resource but offers opportunity for interpretation, differentiation and varying degrees of sophistication in terms of outcome. It contains lots of mini focused practical tasks to produce the key components for a complete, functioning garden whirligig. It contains a wealth of information to help analyze existing products, conceptualize and develop a working solution. I’ve also attached a complete production plan for the whirligig shown in the video.

A resources to enable students and teachers to investigate nineteenth and twentieth century lighting as stimulus to designing an interior light using a range of materials and processes. The file contains an investigation into major design movements from the Arts And Crafts movement to the digital design of the present and how these philosophies and styles have influenced design. Students are prompted to critically analyse examples of lighting designs from each era to find useful features for their own work. The pack also contains a guide booklet to take them through each stage of the design task. Each resource can be edited or adjusted to suit the needs of the teacher and class.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment activity or craft club. Build this adorable, laminated, carved and polished birch plywood duck toy. A perennial push along favourite. Follow the easy to understand tutorial to complete your own push pull duck toy. The head rises and falls as you push him along causing the beak to snap open and shut making a lovely click. Two concealed cam wheels also cause the wings to raise and lower alternately. He’s carved and shaped from layers of stained and sealed birch plywood for durability. The tutorial contains all the information, templates and drawings needed to produce your own clattering duck that will be treasured for years.