Fall Feast

It's picnic time at invention squad!

This week, we asked our students to design a transportable food system for an outdoor picnic. This industrial design challenge may seem pedestrian at first sight- especially for those of us who have to scrape leftovers from a school lunchbox every evening. You might think that a picnic basket is just a box with a handle, but in the hands of a set of eager kid inventors there are many interesting possibilities for innovation.

How to make it easy to transport? Could it be eco-friendly? How could we adapt it for special types of food? Could it be multifunctional? The prototypes ranged from wild : a water delivery mechanism with personal waterfalls to serve food on boats to each picnicker) to pragmatic: a dipping tub for fries with personal lidded sauce containers (above).

Sometimes the picnic carriers were specially designed for a particular food: take this subway baguette carrier made by one team.

Or this sandwich holder- which looks as stylish as a brief case.

Each picnicker gers a personal noodle pod (sealed with a clip). This design demonstrated a clever use of materials and emphasized the modular nature of picnics.

Some of our inventors combined functionality with visual impact. This team's sandwich holder had two interlocking layers creating many different compartments and a very unified aesthetic.

This young designer did a great job making many different receptacles for different food items and we like the washable face on the food tray which adds a playful element to a kids' picnic.

Some designers considered portability and opted to add wheels to their prototypes to create pull along picnic carriers.

…..and if all else fails why not turn your picnic basket into a potential animal trap for the ultimate BBQ?

Rainy Daze

 In our second class at Artscape, we consider whether the umbrella needs reinventing. We've all had an uncomfortable encounter with an umbrella. Whether it's the classic inside out one in a wind squall or colliding with a passerby on a crowded sidewalk or just the damp soggy dripping mass after the rain. And could the umbrella just be more fun or do more?

Sometimes invention is about adapting a pre-existing design. Quite a few attempts have been made to innovate and beautify the umbrella. Here are our attempts. Some of our students wanted to see more clearly when walking with the umbrella. In this design a whole segment of the umbrella is replaced with clear material.

This design improved the underside of the umbrella by adding animated video game characters.

This defensive umbrella included a slingshot and ammo basket on the underside.

This designer considered functionality by adding a backpack shield and later a hanging storage unit and  removable front visor screen. Nice job!

This umbrella will extend above the crowd with a seussical candy-striped handle.

Two of our inventors, decided to turn the umbrella into a water collector. Tubes were connected to the top surface and the water drips down into a drinking cup attached to the handle. In one case there is also a filter unit. 

And here's a space like poncho design for those sudden downpours.

Kinetic Sculpture

In our first session of Fall workshops at Artscape Youngplace and in the second week at the TP Loblaw K Club we issued a mash-up design challenge, asking the kids to come up with a kinetic sculpture that is also a sign. 

After a planning phase, we gave the students a table full of materials and the ever popular glue guns and they set to building their prototypes.

Quite a few of our young designers made classic mobiles. This bedroom sign used some interesting sculptural elements. 

This sculpture took inspiration from Minecraft and used a nice range of materials to point the way.

We liked the striking use of colours and the strong graphic design of this video game sign.

In this idea, the student made a table-top yard sale sculpture mounted on a flexible base with wobbling faces on either side.  

And this kinetic sculpture had a windmill feature made of plastic spoons, that could either be wind-driven or could be hooked up to a motor to make it spin. 

Both these designs used a full range of materials and included lots of interesting elements. 

This sculpture sign was for a skateboard store. The sign was mounted on a skateboard that moved down a ramp.  A fully thought out prototype! 

Prototyping Play

In our first class of the Fall 2015 season we asked children at TP Loblaw Boys and Girls Club to design toys for toddlers. The goal for this intro. session is to have fun prototyping (building a model version of an invention). We want them to turn their ideas into something tangible and to get comfortable with construction. 

All of our students invented toys with the senses in mind. Out  of a large mound of materials, emerged a twisting fur rattle, a wearable play centre, a whole collection of colourful crib toys, a bug twister, a mini golf set and a toddler music zone. 

                                           Here's a colourful hand rattle. 

This music zone toy, evolved as a team effort over the course of the hour long session. The inventors were careful to consider safety elements -the xylophone is squishy with soft wackers. This class introduces the kids to the concept that inventions and designs are for someone: the "user". When we're designing for someone else- it's a good idea to think about who they are and what they need or want. Better still ask them! The students had a lot of enthusiasm for this project because many of them have little sisters and brothers. So in this case empathy and understanding of the user come naturally.

This wearable toy monopolized on the fun factor. The striped cloak is decorated with knotted foam bits and crunchy mylar. The furry headband includes plenty of textured elements to explore with little fingers.

This rotating fur rattle incorporates moveable textured knobs and a reflective base.

And here's the bug stick. Baby has a selection of brightly coloured balls to twist and a bonus fly to chew on! This student worked hard to secure the beads onto the stick so that a baby couldn't pull them off.

At the end of the session in our demo time, our students had a chance to reflect on what they have designed. They explain the invention concept and why it will be suitable for toddlers. 

Well done kids. Can't wait to see what you invent next!