CREATIVE CODING
Educator and computer scientist Seymour Papert's classic book Mindstorms: Children, Computers and Powerful Ideas revealed the importance of programming to the future of education.
DEFINE
Computer programming is behind many of the objects and systems in our lives. As we make our way into the future programming will become even more important. It is an ideal skill to learn and there are many entry points into the world of coding.
Take some time to explore how designers have used cardboard to make furniture, then create an original chair design that you will build out.
COLLECT INFO
Use the following resources to explore cardboard furniture design. Think about how to design for style and comfort.
BOOKS:
Mindstorms: Computers, Children and Powerful Ideas, Seymour Papert
The Pattern on the Stone: Simple Ideas Behind Computers, Forrest W. Daniel Willis
Make: Electronics: Learning Through Discovery, Charles Platt
Make: Getting Started with Arduino, Massimo Banzi & Michael Shiloh
Practical Electronics for Inventors, Paul Scherz and Simon Monk
WEBSITES/CLASSES/TUTORIALS:
Code Pen
JSFiddle
free Code Camp
VIDEO:
BRAINSTORM IDEAS
Corrugated cardboard is a recycled material offering the creative mind great opportunities. Building functional cardboard furniture that is pleasing to the eye and comfortable to sit on is possible.
This challenge is designed to encourage excellence in design that integrates function, aesthetics, and ergonomics.
DEVELOP SOLUTIONS
When designing your cardboard chair, use the iterative process.
1. Design a prototype
Create a quick illustrated prototype of your chair design. Refer to designs you've found inspiration in. Refer to your available materials as needed. Using your knowledge of electrical current, specifically power and resistance, create your prototype to model the experience you want users to have.
2. Build
Gather the necessary components, along with your illustrated chair design, and build a prototype of your chair. Test your chair by sitting in it, evaluate what occurred, fix the prototype. Retest and reevaluate what occurred many times until the chair functions consistently according to your intentions.
3. Analyze your prototype
Test your prototype. Does it work? If not, determine where the problem is. Make changes and re-test.
FINAL DESIGN
When your cardboard chair design is just as you want it, invite others to come and take a seat.
“Education has very little to do with explanation, it has to do with engagement, with falling in love with the material”
— Seymour Papert