From Fruit to Form

Year 12 IB Design + Technology students were given a treat when Grant Baker, Senior Lecturer in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, delivered an interactive session entitled ‘Designers Look Different’.

During the interactive workshop, students delved into the dynamic field of visual research, learning how keen observation can elevate the process of idea generation. In today’s visually driven world, the students realised the importance of developing meaningful ideas, and understanding how visual literature provides a powerful toolkit to achieve this. Students explored how observational skills can inspire fresh, innovative starting points that can resonate deeply with consumers. By the end of the session, students had used the idea of a banana to sketch design ideas of a chair, a building and then something a little more abstract. This technique gave them a sharper eye, and a practical skill set that they could use in their current and future projects. The Design + Technology faculty look forward to further collaboration with Nottingham Trent University.