Intro to Creative Design
During this unit, students learned a little bit about the design process by studying the work of 3 great designers: Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, and Leonardo DaVinci. After looking at each of these designers' work and style, students were given a design challenge. First, they reconsidered the function of the chair by creating "Learning Chairs" to help them focus on learning a task. Next, they made playground designs for the new Evan's City K-6 school. Then, they made "Flying Machines" inspired by nature, a style of design called "Biomimicry."
After this, they selected their best idea -- the one with the most potential -- and made a final draft of it in the style of scientific drawings. Their goal was to communicate as much of their idea as they could with labels and descriptions. What an interesting dive into the world of design, fully of fun, sometimes silly, but always creative ideas! Nice work, 4th grade!
After this, they selected their best idea -- the one with the most potential -- and made a final draft of it in the style of scientific drawings. Their goal was to communicate as much of their idea as they could with labels and descriptions. What an interesting dive into the world of design, fully of fun, sometimes silly, but always creative ideas! Nice work, 4th grade!
Below are some up-close looks at a few student designs.
Pop Art Color Theory Flowers
Students learned about the Pop Art movement of the 1950's and Andy Warhol, a Pop Artist who grew up right here in the Pittsburgh region! They looked at his sunflower paintings and used this and some color wheel knowledge to make their own sunflowers. They used tints (color + white) and shades (color + black) and complementary colors (colors that are opposite from each other on the color wheel and make each other POP!) Even if they didn't all get finished, they still look amazing together! Nice job!
Some At-Home Art Projects:
While at home, students made a collection of drawings inspired by various artists and concepts. First, they learned about the American artist, Faith Ringgold and her "story quilts" which allowed her to tell stories through art styled after traditional quilts. They generated a variety of patterns to create a frame around the outside of their paper before filling it in with a drawing of themselves flying over a favorite place. We greatly enjoyed this imaginative project!
Next, students learned about the winter solstice in December and create a sun/moon drawing to celebrate this special astronomical event. These were fun, very beautiful, and helped us connect to the season in a new way. They also learned how to create paper snow globes with winter scenes inside of them. Below are a few photos that students shared of these artworks done at home.
Next, students learned about the winter solstice in December and create a sun/moon drawing to celebrate this special astronomical event. These were fun, very beautiful, and helped us connect to the season in a new way. They also learned how to create paper snow globes with winter scenes inside of them. Below are a few photos that students shared of these artworks done at home.