Sketch Your Dream Desk
Outlines are drawings that capture the main features and different parts of an object. It’s one of the first steps in the design of a new thing. Look at Caroline’s outlines: they’re detailed, but they still leave room for imagination.
Now, it’s your turn to imagine a new desk design and to make outlines of it!
Grade 3-4
Duration : 1 period
Objective
Learn how to make a project outline and design your dream desk.
Guidelines
Watch ”Caroline Harrison – Démarche artistique” (English subtitles)
As a group, make a list of things that an outline should entail.
Show the pictures of different types of desks.
Form teams of two.
Imagine what the perfect desk would look like and make several outlines of it.
Discuss the results as a group.
Material
- Pencils
- Paper
Steps
1
Watch the short video titled “Démarche” featuring Caroline Harrison.
2
Group discussion: what is an outline? What is its purpose? What information does it provide?
- Look up the dictionary definition of “outline”
- Look at outlines by Leonardo Da Vinci
3
Desks throughout history
Look at the different types of desk that have existed throughout history: are there elements you would like to keep for your desk design? Elements you think can be improved? Would you like to give your desk new functions?
4
In teams of two, make a few outlines of the new desk model.
The outlines must show the desk from different angles (sides, front, from above)
5
Present your outlines to the rest of the class.
- Is there a concept behind the creation of your desk?
- What are the characteristics of your desk?
- What problems are solved with your new design?
Food for Thought
Did you know that there’s an outdoor public school in Canada? It’s located in Maple Ridge, BC. Rain or shine, students spend all of their school days in the forest. What do you think about this? Would you trade your chair and desk for the outdoors? What would be the pros and cons of this type of school?
Click here to learn more about the Environmental School Project
