Shirland Blog

Day Twelve workshops

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:32:11 +0100

The final day of mosaics - make or break! We had to complete them today.
Both Y6 groups worked really hard to finish off their designs that they had started the previous day.

Working in the hall; we put our noses to the grindstone and cut, shaped, arranged and glued the mosaic pieces into the designs.

We're using the indirect method for the mosaic design - in other words the designs are being stuck face down onto paper which will be offered up to the grouted areas and allowed to dry before peeling off the paper to reveal the front side of the mosaics.

They should look splendid!

Look at the Day 12 gallery here

Day Eleven workshops

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:24:46 +0100

Today we we began designing and making mosaics for the outside mosaic feature which the school have commissioned. Two classes of Y6 pupils were selected to make the mosaics - this will be their lasting contribution to the new build school which others will be able to enjoy once they've moved on to their new 'big' schools.

Mosaics are not hard to make but extra care has to be taken when cutting because of the glass. The design is also really important - we took a lot of time to work out the best combinations of contrasting colours so as to ensure that the design stood out.

There will be 8 x 300mm circles each with a unique mosaic and 1 x 700mm circle in the middle of the feature that consists of lots of smaller mosaic artworks. The theme that we worked to was mini beast close ups.

Look at the Day 11 gallery here

Day Ten workshops

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:00:17 +0100

Class SH ( Y6) : 10.00- 12.00

This was the last session with our Y6 group and probably their last real bit of work before leaving the school. In the previous session we had explored how we might incorporate newts into designs around the new school. Today we looked more specifically at how we might design seating for outdoors that used newt and other flora and fauna as a reference for their design. It was a design and technology session really in which pupils had to produce a sketch, work out how it might function as a seat and then turn the idea into a working model using foambaord and some other materials as the main construction materials. The resulting designs were inventive and practical - i must mention the sterling work of Josh developing his 3 newt bench and a group of girls who came up with a really intriguing daisy chain seating arrangement.

Look at the Day 10 gallery here

Class FB (Y3): 1.05 - 3.35

This was our final session and our chance to put the mosaic designs into practice. Working in small groups of two pupils collected and selected glass tiles to form their circle border before starting on the internal design. The skill in making mosaics is both that of accurate gluing and placement as well as using a good choice of contrasting colours. The task for the pupils was to turn their drawings of mini beasts into recognisable close ups that may in the future become the start of a much larger mosaic feature in the playground.

Look at the Day 10 gallery here

Day Nine workshops

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:00:34 +0100

Class CY ( Y4/5: 10.00- 12.00

We had a fantastic session previously in which we explored wayfinding ideas - the challenge for this workshop was to then translate these ideas into 3D models showing how we might use wall and floor finishes to create a journey through the main corridor.

Again as with the other design areas we concentrated mostly on natural forms and references. A couple of pupils took close-up photographs of grass in the playground and used the print outs to transform the walls of their models. Other pupils drew designs and painted them before incorporating them into their walk through design. Working 3 dimensionally is a really useful way of visualising what the ideas might look like in the real building.

Look at the Day 9 gallery here

Class MP ( Y4/5): 1.05 - 3.35

Move over Matisse! The class today looked at the work of Henri Matisse as an inspiration for how they might ransform the teaching wall in the new classrooms. We did a variety of quick paper cutting games to get us warmed up before staring on the real task in hand which was to design and create a scheme for the wall. Using coloured paper we collaged shapes onto A3 elevations. By and large the designs were abstract ( 'random' is how pupils described them) which may be very appropriate as they won't be distracting to the learning that takes place in the classrooms whilst at the same time helping to provide an interesting backdrop.

Look at the Day 9 gallery here

Day Eight workshops

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:00:35 +0100

Class FB (Y3): 10.00- 12.00

Today we started to talk about a possible mosaic which could be sited in the new playground. We looked at mini beasts online and picked one that we then drew in greater close up detail. This drawing was then used as the basis for a 'test' mosaic using torn paper so that we could get the feel of how tiles and colours could be used to create the design without losing the detail.

Look at the Day 8 gallery here

Class DW (Y1/2): 1.05 - 3.35

Moving over to the Y1/2 class in the afternoon i changed tack and began by looking at the work of artist Henri Matisse; in particular his later cut out paintings. The idea is that we might use this technique to create large patterns based on natural forms for either manifestations or wall ares in the school. Using a limited colour palette of 3 greens we drew out the shapes and then arranged them into patterns on sheets of A3 paper.

Look at the Day 8 gallery here

Day Seven workshops

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:00:02 +0100

Class DW (Y1/2): 10.00- 12.00

Today we went outside and collected natural objects to use as a starting point for thinking about designs that we will use on the windows and walls of the new school. Althought these pupils are young they have a natural instinct for finding things out and we spent quite some time looking very carefully at the details of the leaves, feathers and flowers that we found. A few creepy crawlies also came back with us into the classroom!

Using pencils we produced close up drawings of the objects which later may be scanned and digitised. We also did colour mixing using pencil crayons to see how closely we could match the colours of the petals etc. It was agreed that the mixing worked better if you used more than 2 colours and certainly not just one pencil crayon. If you're an educationalist this is good work demonstrating how colours can be mixed and what primary colours you need to mix secondarys.

Look at the Day 7 gallery here

Class PM (Y6): 1.05 - 3.35

In this session we talked about the newts on the site and explored the concept of how we might 'hide' representations of the newts within the interior and exterior of the scheme. The idea being that visitors and new pupils will be encouraged to see how many newts they can find - a bit like the 'Where's Wally?' game.

Initial ideas from the class included seats, cut outs, stencils, carvings on the glulam beams, a newt instead of a mouse ( my personal favourite!) and newt dinner trays. All these ideas will be worked on in more detail in the next session where we will be model making the designs.

Look at the Day 7 gallery here

Day Six workshops

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:00:12 +0100

Class MP (Y4/5) : 10.00- 12.00

This was our first session since some months ago so we had a bit of a catch up first to recall what we had been working on.

The scheme is now on site so i showed the pupils the current drawings for the new school as well as the landscape plan. We talked about the fact that the presence of newts on the site had caused delays and how they might prove to be a design inspiration for some of the features that we could start working on.

The specific task for this group is to develop ideas for wall spaces in the classrooms above the teaching wall. Possible outputs could be a digital banner, super graphics or perhaps profiled templates fixed to the wall.

Having outlned the teask the group got to work. The first concept we worked on was a wall of words. Using lists of words that each table group developed we then converted them into bubble writing on acetate and positioned them onto CAD drawings of the wall area. We also looked at how the background colour could affect the whole compostion.

Look on the Day 6 gallery for fantastic evidence of this work.

Class CY (Y4/5): 1.05 - 3.35

In this session we followed much the same start as above having noted how everybody looked bigger and more grown up than the last time we met!

The task for this group is to look at the corridor ( circulation areas in architectural speak) and walls in order to see how we might develop an overarching concept that could help visitors to wayfind around the school and create an energised space.

The class had already been investigating the artist Andy Goldsworthy and had produced some incredible sketchbooks showing their thought processes. These were an excellent way in for the work that we needed to do and neatly fitted in with work that they had done as a class last year with me.

Consequently the group, working as groups or as individuals, debveloped ideas around flowing streams, newt patterns and stepping stones. Look on the Day 6 gallery for fantastic evidence of this work.

Day Four workshops

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:04:42 +0100

Class LS/RM (Y3) : 9.35- 12.00

In the last session we began thinking about bird boxes on the basis that the builders are building a new school for the pupils so the pupils could build new homes for birds.

Today we talked about how bird boxes could be interesting architectural forms - a whole design problem in themselves. We looked at information from the RSPB about how to build a bird box; what size openings, how high off the ground and when they should be put out.

Using this research information the class then began designing their structures. These designs were transferred onto paper and cut out as trials. Finally we then used foam board - a lightweight but stiff board often used by architects to create models of buildings - to produce our final designs.

Issues with glue aside ( it was eco friendly non stick glue!) we put together the bird boxes. Getting measurements right and assembling the structures was a challenge but the final designs were interesting and different from the usual bird box design.

The intention is to use these ideas for possible little installations around the new school and grounds.

Class CY (Y5): 1.05 - 3.35

In this session we followed up the initial 'getting to know you' session with a more detailed look at colour and colour palettes.

As with the Y1 group we spread out Dulux colour chips and selected sets of colours.

Again the surprising outcome of this session was the degree of sophistication that the children used to select their colour palettes. Rather than random selections they all produced very balanced palettes with good possibilities for the new build. One observation is that a lot of boys will choose colours that relate to their favourite football team which is unlikely to be reflected in the final colour scheme choice - sorry boys!

The session was ended with a chance for the class to use water colour paper and artists guoache to experiment with colour mixing.

As with the Y1 class; the intention is to get a good cross section of ideas and colour preferences in order to ultimately develop a colour scheme for the new school.

Day Three workshops

Wed, 20 May 2009 11:48:46 +0100

Class MP (Y3) : 9.35- 12.00

Today we concentrated on thinking about how to make art using the shapes, forms and actual elements from our natural surroundings. Taking the artist Andy Goldsworthy as our starting point and inspiration; we went for a survey and collecting trip in a nearby field. We managed to collect a lot of things including buttercups, daisies, cowslips and even a snail.

Back in the classroom we then put these natural objects together in different ways - like making daisy rings or collages with leaves, sorting and gradating flower colours to create a natural colour palette.

The eventual purpose of this is to use these ideas to develop ideas for floor and wall finishes as well designs for manifestations.

Class JK (Y1): 1.05 - 3.35

In this session we followed up ideas from the previous session in which we looked at colour and mixed our own using water colour paints.

Today we began by discussing how colour affects moods and reminds us of places and emotions. On balance more pupils liked subtle calm colours than bright vibrant tones.

We then each produced a colour palette using Dulux colour chips. An initial choice of three colours was then extended with a further three. We also spent a little time thinking up names for the colour palette - i liked 'Dazzle' and 'Chocolate Dog'.

The surprising outcome of this session was the degree of sophistication that the children used to select their colour palettes. Rather than random selections they all produced very balanced palettes with good possibilities for the new build.

The intention is to repeat this session with the Y5 in order to get a good cross section of ideas and colour preferences in order to ultimately develop a colour scheme for the new school.

Day Two workshops

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:05:53 +0100

Class DW ( Reception : 9.35- 10.35

This is a bright and enthusiastic group of reception children who weren't shy about sharing their ideas. We all gathered together in the hall and looked at the product samples that I'd brought. The purpose of the exercise is to share some of the exciting colours and textures that the new school will have. Technically we call these specifications the 'finishes' and it affects choices for floors, walls, furniture and any other surface both internally and externally. The children were encouraged to smell, touch and comment on the various floor samples and other interesting materials that were passed around the circle. In general children liked products that had a bit of sparkle in them - like the Altro safety flooring. Unfortunately, according to the children, nearly all the samples smelled "yucky". A selection of children's comments include:
carpet samples - "it smells like my new car"
resin samples - "it looks like jelly", "looks like lava coming down"
recycled samples - "i can see the writing", it's made of sweet wrappers"

Class JK (Y1) : 10.50-12.00

In this class we decided to concentrate on ideas about colour. We discussed what mood certain colours made us feel and how the colour choices we made could affect the feel of the new school. We talked about how some colours might be more associated with boys - like blue (and pink for girls) although we agreed that there were boys and girls who
had different preferences. We also talked about ideas for the playground. Most of the children wanted things like slides and swings. Boys in particular talked about nets and a football pitch. We also talked about the 'friendship stop' and whether there might be an alternative design as the current stop blows over in the wind. After the discussion I demonstrated how to mix colours using artists guoache and water and the children then proceeded to create their own colour palettes.

Class LS (Y3/4) : 1.05 - 3.35

We began the session talking about what an interior designer does and the areas in a new build school that need an input.

The class are an intelligent bunch with lots of ideas.
We looked at product samples in a big circle on the carpet - Mrs Shepherd particularly liked seeing the energy and participation of the class. Choosing some favourite colours and finishes - the children then worked at their tables to develop an individual mood board which included drawings of the sample and an explanation of why it had been chosen. What was interesting to note is that far from the choices being random - these children made very careful selections which showed interesting combinations of texture and colour. Professionals be warned...!

After the break we talked about the building footprint and discussed the concept of bird boxes. The intention here is to make a link to the work the children are doing about their built environment ( local history research) and the building of the new school. The builders are building a new school for pupils - the children are building homes for birds. Watch this space!

Day One workshops

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:37:40 +0100

Class CY ( Y5) : 9.35- 10.35

Class CY worked on a mood board. We began by looking at lots of different floor finishes like lino, vinyl and rubber as well as some other inspirational products. They're an interesting group with lots of ideas. Initially some of the class were a bit reticent to give explanations for some of their choices but as the session progressed they became more articulate. There were some insightful comments about who their best friends were and what they gave in return - things like support and sticking up for you. 'Friendliness' is something that stands out already as a feature of this school - overall it has a very welcoming feel.

The concensus was that the building footprint looks like a soaring bird or a banana skin!

Class FB (Y6) : 10.50-12.00

Again we worked on ideas for a mood board.
We looked at lots of different floor finishes like lino, vinyl and rubber as well as some other inspirational products. The class consensus was that the building outline looked like a highwayman's pistol, a soaring bird ( eagle) and as one pupil said - looks just like a school building - umm, very practical indeed.

As it happens; the class teacher's husband is an architect who builds eco homes. After the session we looked at their website showing ecopod holiday homes - worth a bit more investigation. Perhaps we could have some eco shelters in the new school playground?

Class MP (Y3/4) : 1.05 - 3.35

We began the session talking about what an interior designer does. There was some discussion about toilets and their various pros and cons. The pupils favour separated boy / girl toilets with cubicles. As the sun was shining we took advantage and started the session outside with a spot of colour mixing using artists gouache water colours and some heavy guage paper.

Mr Parry ( not Parish as wrongly named by me throughout the session!) has a very calm manner which reflects in the behaviour of the pupils who were fully engaged and enthusiastic throughout the session. After the afternoon break we collected leaves, flowers and even a worm in order to produce some observational drawings. We think that the new build school should include references to the outside environment and this was a good starting point. The pupils really looked carefully and produced some stunning drawings. When we compared the colours of the natural specimens with the colour paletes we had mixed earlier we noticed a number of very close matches. We'll develop these colour palettes a bit more and see how they influence the eventual colour scheme for the interior. Incidently the worm was returned to the wild afterwards.