Information slides describing the physical and mechanical properties of materials together with a description of shaping and forming processes. Comprehension exercises/questions to consolidate learning

A guide booklet for year nine or ten describing frame and box construction techniques. The resource offers a list of prompts to help develop and plan a storage idea in timber.

Information sheets describing visual elements from line work to colour theory. These pages are aimed primarily at graphic design students but are also useful as a resource to develop visualising skills for Art and Design students in general.

A rendering activity to explore how to describe tone and texture, in this case softwood. Students can complete the short, three stage exercise to make the robot toy blank look like timber. Its useful for the less confident/able. I built the robot toy but he was stolen before he could be included here. A dodgy flat mate stole him NOT students...they are far more trustworthy!

Develop students ability to add tone, texture and colour using these eleven exercises.

Visual information I produced to describe a range of methods for generating movement for a mechanical toy. Also included are a range of possible construction techniques and ideas for possible outcomes.

Use basic Adobe Photoshop functions to develop a composition in the style of the artist Franz Marc. ideally suited to an introduction activity for paint/art based software.

AS coursework support booklet with prompts and some examples of possible outcomes for ideas and development.

Compare and contrast a range of existing barbecue units using given criteria. A bit too wordy and best left to the summer term?

Analysis of 'designer vinyl' toys and characters. Students use examples of cartoon drawing techniques to design their own character to promote a product or service. Needs padding outand refining but could b fun.

An activity and information presentation about motion, levers and linkages to inspire your charges for a mechanisms based assignment.

Students match the plastic/polymer product to its relevant material and forming process. Includes questions to answer about thermosets and thermoplastics.

Combined graphics and Product analysis exercises. free hand drawing exercises combined with Analysys of design groups Allessi and Koziol. Students are then prompted to re-design an existing product using the influence of the products they have analysed together with the graphic skills developed during the previous exercises.

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 task designed to help students gain expertise and confidence using CAD skills using Google Sketchup. Easy to follow, step by step instructions allow the user to produce an attractive, completed design for a mechanical robot toy using a wide range of basic tools and functions within Google Sketchup.

Fantastic extension task or after school activity.Build this timber push along crocodile toy that bites and waddles along with the push of his handle. Kids love him and shriek with a mixture of fascination and fear as he ambles toward them. The legs mimic a walking action as the wheels rotate causing the jaws to open and shut with with a realistic snap sound. The tail is articulated and designed to swish side to side as he moves. The production plan contains all the plans, instructions and templates to build your own menacing reptile.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment or craft extension activity. The chimp cycles furiously away as you push him along with a handle located at the back omitted for clarity. As he pedals, the torso tilts forward and back with the effort using a hidden pivot point located between the leg and trike frame. Make him by preparing and assembling the components shown in the detailed dimensioned diagrams and easy to follow assembly instructions. We don’t normally approve of performing primates but he volunteered and got a nice uniform for the gig as well.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment or craft extension activity. The snappy orcas mouth opens and closes as you push her along making a lovely wooden click sound as the jaws snap shut. She’s made from painted, recycled birch plywood for durability and sustainability. Begin making your own by downloading the detailed production plan! The PDF contains all the templates, easy to follow instructions and information needed to produce this adorable creature that will be loved for generations.

A resource I made to support an assignment where students designed and built a wind powered garden decoration. Includes prompts to research and analyse useful research material, to model and experiment ideas, and plan the construction of a chosen idea.

Students explore motion, levers, linkages and cams as a supporting activity to making a timber robot toy. They can then progress to designing their own mechanical toy using an eccentric cam or linkage.