SGBIS Art, Design & Technology

Investigation, Extension & Challenge Unit

Year 8 Design & Technology:

Textiles Technology: Phone Cases

SGBIS Year 8 DT : Phone Cases

Description of the project:

Product/outcomes

You will produce your own piece of felt fabric. You will use your fabric to make an innovative phone/Ipod case from your own creative designs.

Investigation: During this term you will explore the manufacture and properties of fibres. The project will involve a detailed analysis of textiles technology, looking at the production of both natural and man-made fibres and carrying out tests to investigate their properties. Researching other designers: The work of British felt maker Mary Clare Buckle will be used as inspiration. Other inspirational designers work that will be explored include Karen Rao, and Tessa Mendez- Compiling a mood board – use of colour texture and pattern in relation to your chosen market/audience.

Techniques, Skills & Knowledge:

Working to a brief: presenting a range of alternative concepts and evaluating them against a design brief. Investigating existing products: Investigative research into the design features of phone cases will enable you to develop creative design ideas of your own, Exploration of materials: You will look at the production of wool and will gain practical experience in making your own piece of felt fabric from wool fibres. Thermoplastic properties of synthetic fibres will be explored through use of Angelina. Link: Angelina Fibres Environmental issues: Choice of materials and processes as well recycling will be considered. Prototyping: you will construct a paper model to enable ergonomic testing of your ideas Developing final outcome: making your product using simple sewing techniques and embellishment, adding a charm, closure or clip of your choice to personalise your case.

Examples of completed projects by other students (click on link to see larger version)

Extension and Challenge Work

Option 1: Make a charm from felt balls to embellish your case. Following the technique shown in the link, make your own felt balls using your chosen colour scheme and stitch them onto a thread to make a charm to match your design. How to make felt balls

Option 2: Create a 3 dimensional piece using a resist (card template) to remove the need for stitching seams. Build embellishment into your felt using coloured wool fibres or other materials such as angelina, sequins and threads. Ideas HERE

SGBIS Year 8 DT : Phone Cases

Investigation: Relevant References and Resources (click on links to follow): Video: Felt Making Video: Jonathan Ives (Ipod Designer) Interview Video: Designing with felt in 2 & 3 dimensions

Inspirational artists and designers (click thumbnails for more information)

Investigation & research by other students (click thumbnails for larger versions)

SGBIS Year 8 DT : Phone Cases

Useful links:

For this project (click on them):

Production techniques of a range of fibres

All you need to know from the International Feltmakers Association

Images of Phone Cases

Images of Felt Phone Cases

Design your own case online

A Video Showing How to Make Felt

A Step Be Step Guide to Making Felt

A guide on how to work with Angelina Fibres

Great Facts about Textile Recycling

Inspirational Artists and Designers:

Mary Clare Buckle

Karen Rao

Agniesz Kajackowiak

Gillian Harris

Sharon Costello

Tessa Mendez

Other Useful DT links:

DAFONT (Good for exploring lettering styles)

The Design Council

The Victoria & Albert Museum (Art & Design Ideas from different times and cultures)

The Design Museum