I recently taught an art toy design class where I used off the shelf wooden doll pegs as a blank canvas for my students. I liked the idea of using a humble craft material as a starting point. Below are a bunch of experiments I did in color, form, and texture.
The latest assignment for my class was to make simple pull toys. I think the students did a fantastic job.
I’m teaching a new class this semester called Reinventing the Wheel, a design and engineering studio based around the wheel. So there will be a lot of round, rolling experiments in my future.
I started co-teaching a toy design class. Our first assignment was to create pull string puppet toys. I started with some cardboard prototypes until I got the scale right, then I turned it into a robot. I pulled the design from the Noun Project (thanks Simon Child).
I took a show making class the other day and I’m kind of fascinated by the process. I learned how to properly measure my foot and where I apply pressure (apparently I don’t use my pinky toes). And technically I could make custom shoe forms - called lasts - for my feet. I bet I could CNC one of those bad boys.
I ran a Robot Recipes Building Class at ITP Camp last week. It was a of fun, very interesting to see all of the different designs.
I took a pottery class at Bodanna Studios a while back. Bodanna is a nonprofit that teaches inner city kids craft, creativity, and responsibility through pottery. My teacher, Jeff Nimeh, was fantastic. He taught me some good stuff.
After 10 years of operation, Bodanna is closing. This is too bad, but they are having a big sale of hand made pottery. If that’s your thing, check it out.
I take classes from time to time. Usually things I don’t have enough room in my apartment for: pottery, sculpture, wood turning. But it’s almost always something that I can already sort of do. Something I know I’m already going to be at least competent at.
Well I’m taking a water color painting class at the Y right now, and it is kicking my butt. I can’t believe I thought this would be easy.
We’re painting nudes tonight, I’m still struggling with bowls of fruit.
I took a laser cutting class at NYC Resistor this weekend, taught by Bre Pettis. I designed some tree ornaments.
The laser cutter is such a cool tool. To be able to design something and have the final piece in your hands 10 minutes later, it’s like living in the future.
All of the designs from the class are posted at thingivers.com. So if you have access to a laser cutter, you can make your own trees.
www.thingiverse.com/thing:170
www.thingiverse.com/thing:149
Fire the lazzzor!
