✹ Fan making workshop
23rd October 2021
I haven't written about this yet, but I wanted to share my experience with a recent project I got involved in: conducting making workshops for Year 2 Product and Furniture Design students at Chelsea College of Arts. As an artist and designer myself, it was a great opportunity to share my own techniques and insights with the next generation of makers.
During my master's degree, I developed a technique that combines traditional making skills with digital tools and programs. I found that technology can speed up the making process and help designers explore more possibilities. So, I decided to share this approach with the students at Chelsea and see how they could apply it to their own projects.
I conducted the first workshop last April, and it was a great success. The students were eager to learn and experiment with the tools and materials I provided. We talked about different techniques and approaches to making, and I encouraged them to push their own boundaries and challenge their assumptions about what is possible.
Then, in the beginning of October, I did another workshop. This time, I focused more on the digital aspect of the process. We used various programs and apps to visualize ideas, sketch designs, and create prototypes. I was impressed by how quickly the students adapted to the new tools and found their own ways to express their ideas.
One of the things I enjoy most about teaching and learning with students is the conversations about ideas that occur. It's refreshing to see how each student approaches a project differently and to learn from their unique perspectives. I also love helping students unfold about themselves, as I believe that art and design projects can be a way to learn about ourselves and our place in the world. Being at the university is not just about learning the way of thinking about career and projects, but it's also about life as well. I really enjoy thinking about that, and the energy of young people. They're so fresh, so new. I'm reminded every day to be open and learn from them.
Overall, I'm grateful for this opportunity to teach and learn with the students at Chelsea. There's so much more to explore, and I hope to continue to share my knowledge and passion with them.
