"Designs 'R Us": May 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

Adaptive Cardboard Furniture

Inspired by the New York-based organization Adaptive Design, and the documentary "Among The Giants" by young film-maker Cory Tomascoff (19 years old), we are building cardboard chairs for PYP 1 and 2 (aged 5).

The inspirational and moving film about what Adaptive Design does using such a simple material is truly a must see! It merges human ingenuity with community and service, by designing innovative and clever furniture and adaptations for children and adults with special needs and physical disabilities. It's also sustainable and eco-friendly for our environment!

On Wednesday we visited Ms. Amanda and Ms. Leron and the PYP 1 and 2 students. We interviewed them asking what they needed and wanted for chairs. The chairs they have currently are comfortable but too heavy for the students to move them. They have 2 smaller wooden chairs which they like, but wished there were more curved edges. Our Design Students took measurements, asked a lot of good questions and are currently designing a chair for their clients. When construction is finished, PYP 1 and 2 students will paint them!

Watch it here!

Among The Giants from Adaptive Design on Vimeo.

A quick search online uncovered an amazing library of interesting resources for cardboard design furniture.

Below are some ideas for innovative chairs:

Some more links of designers and their designs using cardboard:

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

MYP 3: Costume Design for Music Video Production

MYP 3 has just finished making their innovative and new instruments from found materials. Students created a tribal identity and composed songs in Music class to tell their stories of oppression. (They studied the music of oppressed and minority groups).

To finish off their performance, they will be creating costumes and producing a music video to tell their stories through sound, music and dynamic visuals. We will be looking at tribal costumes and rituals from around the world with a focus on the New Zealand Haka. The Maori perform the historical Haka, a rhythmic and traditional dance. It is often considered a war dance for it's intimidating components, and today it is performed at rugby games for their opponents, but it is historically rich and truly a party of the Maori cultural identity. To learn more about the Haka, visit this wonderful and interactive website: http://www.newzealand.com/travel/app_templates/haka/index_content.html

Other inspiration comes from around the world from Asia to South America.

We looked at African tribes who use natural elements to adorn and create costumes for ritual performances.

Finally we watched two videos by Empire of the Sun, an Australian electronic rock band who created some very fantastical videos, good music and beautiful and creative costumes! Check them out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ltRV41TXO4&playnext_from=TL&videos=wZ9AXm9f9OU&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh%2Bdiv-1r-4-HM

Stay tuned to see what they come up with!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

MYP 2: Building Sustainable Practices in Architecture & Urban Planning

MYP 2 has begun to create their Sustainable City, named "Serenia". There are so many great ideas out there already, but we could use more. So far students have come up with some revolutionary and innovative ideas for their city in terms of the technology implemented as well as green architecture design, and very importantly the planning and location of components within the city.

For inspiration in architecture and city planning we watched a few videos on green roofs, sustainable buildings and interesting concept ideas for cities. Check them out below, and check back for photos and information on our new city. Construction begins this week!

See inside the ultimate tree house (above): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcBpwJ0xYG4&feature=related

The Venus Project: Very cool urban plan & theory for a new sustainable city! Some interesting ideas...What do you think?
"The Venus Project is an organization that proposes a feasible plan of action for social change, one that works towards a peaceful and sustainable global civilization. It outlines an alternative to strive toward where human rights are no longer paper proclamations but a way of life."