Lesson 5: Inspiration and
Innovation
Suggested Time: 60
minutes
Overview
Students will learn about inspiration and innovation in design and how
copyright flexibility and market practices may affect the design
process. Students will then consider how innovations in engineering and
science compare with innovations in fashion. Then they will scout about
for their own inspirations, copying a design challenge found in Season 2
of Project Runway!
Vocabulary
- Inspiration
-
Innovation
-
Utilitarian
-
Copyright
-
Engineering
-
Biomimicry
Objectives
- Students will engage in a critical thinking exercise by learning about
the lack of copyright regulation in the fashion industry and
discussing the effects of copyright on innovation.
-
Students will explore different sources of inspiration and innovation,
including the needs of users.
-
Students will identify sources of inspiration for their next project.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- MS-PS-1, MS-PS-4. Developing and Using Models.
-
MS-PS1-3. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information.
-
ETS1.A, B, and C. Defining and Delimiting Design Problems, Developing
Possible Solutions, and Optimizing the Design Solution.
Required Project
Materials
- Several digital cameras
-
Computer with photo sorting program and live connection to the
internet
Multimedia Resources
- “Lessons from Fashion’s Free Culture.” Johanna Blakley. Ted
Talks. Video (15.36) http://
www.ted.com/talks/johanna_blakley_lessons_from_fashion_s_free_culture
-
“Architecture.” National Geographic .
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/
education/topics/architecture/?ar_a=1
-
“Inspiration.” Project Runway Season 2 Episode 8.
Optional Multimedia
Resources
- Design for Kids . Peter Exley, Sharon Exley, Daniel Vieyra.
http://amzn.com/1864701803
Note: this book can only be bought from third party sellers at a
reasonable price.
-
Playground Design (Architecture in Focus) . Michelle Galindo.
http://amzn.com/ 3037681098 Note: due to its price, I
would recommend purchase of one copy of this book for use in the
classroom.
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Inspiration and Innovation (25
mins)
- After checking homework, show “Lessons from Fashion’s Free Culture.”
Review Johanna Blakley’s main points.
-
If possible, arrange the class in a semi-circle to facilitate
discussion, so that there is no front or back row.
-
Discuss with the class whether they think lack of copyright helps
designers innovate, or whether restrictions and constraints actually
help them more.
-
Ask the students if they agree with Blakley’s assessment that a free
market and desire to distinguish oneself drives innovation.
Work with the class to come up with a list of conditions that may
drive innovation in ALL fields. The list might include:
-
User need or desire for a particular service or function (simple
examples of this might include bridges because people needed to move
themselves and large loads efficiently across water bodies; or
phones having GPS capabilities so that people don’t have to bring
maps with them or ask directions)
-
Traits found in nature (biomimicry)
-
The desire to create something with a beautiful form
-
Point out that even in fields with copyright protection, such as
architecture and engineering, practitioners often draw inspiration
from their predecessors and reflect trends that have worked for a long
time. Raise the point that copyright protections often expire or only
cover recent inventions, so that old work is considered public domain.
Ask the class to name some beautiful old things. Look through National
Geographic Education’s “Architecture” website to find pictures of
venerated old buildings and other structures that may continue to
inspire new designs.
-
Summarize that architects, engineers, and fashion designers all draw
inspiration from many sources, including old works, nature, and the
needs and desires of users.
Part 2: Finding Inspiration (35
mins)
- Show excerpt from Project Runway’s Season 2 Episode 8,
“Inspiration.” Let the students know that they will be replicating
the Project Runway Experiment, only instead of photographing
buildings, they will bring something from home as an inspiring object.
-
Just to practice, have students tour the school grounds looking for
inspiration for an outfit. They should take one to three photos of
things that inspire them. (If you are short on time, just have them
look around the classroom.)
-
After 15 minutes, students should come back and upload the photos.
Look at the photos with the class and discuss what each photo means to
the photographer.
Homework Due Next Class
-
Students will need to find an inspirational object from outside the
class. It can be a photograph, something from nature, or something
from home. They will use this object as an inspiration to design and
build a small outfit.
-
Encourage students to use their supplementary workbooks to try out
various designs inspired by their inspiration! Of course, they should
bring these to the next class.
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