Think about objects that you use everyday.

Complete the following in your Journal:

1. How do objects affect our daily life?
2. If you could change something about one of these objects what would it be?  Explain why you would make this change.

Check out the following slides that show examples of everyday objects from throughout history and from different parts of the world.

As you look, think about how you would use these objects and how they were made.

What is design?

What words describe design?

Mouse over the words in the map to learn more.

Explore this word map of the word "design" from snappywords.com.

Scan the Bios of some of the IKEA Designers.

Identify designers and/or ideas about design that best reflect your view of design.

Complete the following in your Journal:

1. What is design?
2. What do you consider to be good design?

Now that you have an idea about what good design is, let's consider the design of the following chairs.

Before you begin make a quick sketch of a chair in your Journal.

As you evaluate the chairs consider:

• materials used
• time period of production
• intended purpose
• cultural & societal significance
• cost

Complete the following in your Journal:

1. Compare the design of a chair from the slides to the one you sketched in your Journal.
2. If you could design a new chair or redesign an old one, how would you do it?
3. Draw a sketch of what you consider to be the perfect chair.

Complete the following in your Journal:

1. Which lamp would you put in your room?  Why this one?
2. How much should designers consider the people who may buy their designs?

Look at the last few slides and think about the design of the objects you use everyday.  What objects would you redesign or what objects still need to be invented?

Discussion:  Use your Journal to discuss good design.

1. What object from the slides most influenced your ideas about design?  Why this object?
2. How do culture, society, and design influence each other?
3. How have people from around the world influenced design over human history?
4. How does cost influence design?
5. What ideas do you have about redesigning the objects that surround you?

Assessment

Use your ideas of good design to create a new object that to your knowledge has never existed before.

OR

Use your ideas of good design to redesign an object that you use everyday.

Your design must include the following:

• A drawing from at least three views of your object.
• A description of the materials used and retail cost.
• A statement describing the intended purpose and/or use.
• An explanation of how the object will fit into society.
• A statement of your philosophy of good design.

You choose the format!

8.1.3.2.1

1. The Nature of Science and Engineering

3. Interactions Among Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Society

2. Men and women throughout the history of all cultures, including Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities, have been involved in engineering design and scientific inquiry.

Describe examples of important contributions to the advancement of science, engineering and technology made by individuals representing different groups and cultures at different times in history.

8.1.3.3.1

1. The Nature of Science and Engineering

3. Interactions Among Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Society

3. Science and engineering operate in the context of society and both influence and are influenced by this context.

Explain how scientific laws and engineering principles, as well as economic, political, social, and ethical expectations, must be taken into account in designing engineering solutions or conducting scientific investigations.