I teach graphic design at a small community college in North Dakota. Each Friday in the students' second year we work on collaborative projects (designers are often pretty introverted). During the first half of the year the students work on creating displays with topics related to graphic design and a budget of $200. This year my students chose to explain the screen printing process and the basic principles of design.
The screen printing display involved a little more construction. I worked with four students to create the boxes the content is displayed on, they are 1/2-particle board painted black. I got the students comfortable cutting the pieces with measuring, marking, lining up the track and eventually cutting with my TS55. They also got to see the miracle of tool actuated dust collection from my CT26 which amazed them.
The group working with principles of design learned to maneuver the Carvex with a long foam cutting blade. They cut sheets of foam insulation to create the parts for the elephant. Oddly, that was scarier than watching them wield the track saw. One student insisted on running the jig saw with one hand in his pocket and the other on the saw. I prepared most the pieces for the lighted sign, but the students that helped me glue it up got to learn about the miracle of dominos.
Several students used an air nailer and a drill for the first time during construction. Hard for me to imagine since my daughter started using tools around kindergarten, but they were all eager learners after getting over a little fear.
It's a massive pain in the neck hauling my Festool stuff to school for the final couple weeks of building the displays, but the kids always love the design and features of the tools. I'm always trying to get them started making - no matter what it is - and introducing them to tools is a solid start.
In a couple weeks, I'll be hauling in my 3D printer for another lesson on creating.
The screen printing display involved a little more construction. I worked with four students to create the boxes the content is displayed on, they are 1/2-particle board painted black. I got the students comfortable cutting the pieces with measuring, marking, lining up the track and eventually cutting with my TS55. They also got to see the miracle of tool actuated dust collection from my CT26 which amazed them.
The group working with principles of design learned to maneuver the Carvex with a long foam cutting blade. They cut sheets of foam insulation to create the parts for the elephant. Oddly, that was scarier than watching them wield the track saw. One student insisted on running the jig saw with one hand in his pocket and the other on the saw. I prepared most the pieces for the lighted sign, but the students that helped me glue it up got to learn about the miracle of dominos.
Several students used an air nailer and a drill for the first time during construction. Hard for me to imagine since my daughter started using tools around kindergarten, but they were all eager learners after getting over a little fear.
It's a massive pain in the neck hauling my Festool stuff to school for the final couple weeks of building the displays, but the kids always love the design and features of the tools. I'm always trying to get them started making - no matter what it is - and introducing them to tools is a solid start.
In a couple weeks, I'll be hauling in my 3D printer for another lesson on creating.
