We will be working through the
You are going to work through your project to explore an area, come up with some ideas, define what you are going to make and the design and create your idea.
You will use one document to collate all your work as you go, found via Schoology L1 DT Project document
Brainstorm all the possible ideas for a project.
At this stage it should be everything you might like to do and could be a number of different areas within DT.
Then under each of the areas what could you create? Who might be end users? Or go the other way.... what problem could you solve?
Think about:
Qualities / Skills / Talents I feel I have
People who are important to me
Things that impact / affect me
Things that I enjoy doing
Based on your brainstorm, what area will your project focus on?
Here are some directions specifically for D4M:
Desk Organizer Set: Create a set of desk organizers (pen holder, paper tray, etc.) using a combination of 3D printing and laser cutting for precision and customization.
Custom Keychain Designs: Design and produce a series of custom keychains with unique shapes, engraved patterns, or personalized messages using a combination of laser cutting and 3D printing.
Jewelry Collection: Develop a collection of 3D printed jewelry pieces, such as earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, focusing on intricate designs and experimenting with different materials.
Educational Puzzle or Toy: Create an educational puzzle or toy using 3D printing and laser cutting to enhance learning or promote creativity and problem-solving skills.
Home Decor Items: Design and manufacture home decor items like wall art, decorative lamps, or plant holders using a combination of 3D printing and laser cutting techniques.
Customized Gaming Accessories: Design and create customized gaming accessories such as controller stands, headphone holders, or cable organizers using precise manufacturing methods.
Prototyping a Product Idea: Prototype a product idea using 3D printing for the physical components and laser cutting for enclosure or casing parts, allowing for rapid iteration and testing.
DIY Board Game: Design and manufacture a DIY board game including game pieces, board layout, and accessories using both 3D printing and laser cutting for a customized gaming experience.
Personalized Gifts: Create a range of personalized gifts like engraved photo frames, custom mugs, or decorative plaques using laser cutting and 3D printing techniques for customization.
Abstract Design is based in Wellington and everything in their shop, the laser cut designs, the prints, display units and everything in between is made in their factory. They're 100% made in New Zealand including the raw materials used, which
are sourced from sustainable local suppliers. https://www.abstractdesign.co.nz/
Tatty Devine - Jewellery
It is important to know and understand Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga. You will need to understand and implement these principles throughout your project.
Otago Regional Council website co-design with Kāi Tahu
Read about it here
Website example
ORC worked with Kāi Tahu and a mana whenua-owned consultancy to incorporate Kāi Tahu values, narratives, and reo Māori into the design of its website. That is a very clear digital example of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga through partnership and respectful co-design.
Think about:
Who was involved in the design process?
How does co-design show whanaungatanga?
How does using local reo and narratives show manaakitanga?
Why is it better than simply adding Māori words at the end?
NZ government guidance on digital inclusion and accessibility
Read about it here
UX/accessibility example
Digital.govt.nz highlights the need for human-centred design, inclusion of marginalised groups, and better accessibility in digital services. Their research also notes that Māori are among groups at risk of digital exclusion in Aotearoa. This connects strongly to manaakitanga because accessible design is a form of care and respect.
Think about:
If your outcome is beautiful but slow, confusing, or inaccessible, are you showing manaakitanga?
What design choices would make your outcome more caring and inclusive?
Māori data sovereignty
Read about it here
Digital ethics/data example
Stats NZ’s data strategy says co-design with iwi and Māori should be in use and that Māori data sovereignty should be recognised and understood. Te Mana Raraunga’s principles include Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, and Kaitiakitanga in relation to data collection, management, and use.
Think about:
If a website collects user data, who is responsible for protecting it?
If cultural knowledge is shared digitally, who should decide how it is used?
How does kaitiakitanga apply to digital information, not just the environment?
Australian First Nations digital inclusion guidance
Read about it here
International example showing that similar cultural and inclusive design principles matter beyond Aotearoa too
Australia’s government guidance for inclusive digital design recommends co-designing services with First Nations communities, following up with the community, using culturally safe visual communication, and being transparent about why information is requested. That aligns closely with whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga in a digital setting.
Why it works for students:
It shows these ideas are not only local classroom concepts — they matter in real digital service design internationally too.
Coca-Cola - Mixing English & Te Reo
Do you know what's wrong with Coca-Colas use of "Kia ora, Mate"?
Check out the following articles Coca-Cola's te reo marketing blunder to learn more.
How could this have been prevented?
Whittakers - Check out their About Page
Have a read through their Values; Ingredients, Packaging, Community & Chocolate Making. Can you see where Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga are evident?
Within these 3 principles you will need to understand what design factors you might need to consider within your project.
Design factors include: Social, Cultural, Legal, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Privacy, Ethical, End-user considerations, Accessibility, Usability, Functionality, Aesthetics, Health and Safety, Sustainability and Future Proofing.
Understand what these design factors involve and while doing your research have a think about where Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga have been shown and what design factors had to be considered.
When looking at a range of existing outcomes you might like to think about some of the following:
What is the aim or goal of the outcome?
Who are the End Users and where/how did they access the outcome?
What are the potential applications?
What are the current trends in D4M?
What are the key components or features of D4M?
What are the common challenges faced?
What are the factors influencing the direction of D4M?
What are the factors contributing to the success/failure of D4M?
What are the future trends and developments in D4M?
What are the potential challenges and opportunities in the future of D4M?
How does [software A e.g. Fusion360] compare to [software B e.g. Tinkercad] in terms of performance/cost/effectiveness?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using [software A] compared to [software B]?
How do users perceive and interact with D4M?
What are the usability challenges of D4M for End Users?
How can D4M be optimized to enhance user experience and satisfaction?
What are the ethical considerations related within the D4M area?
MWDesign is a product design agency,
specialising in industrial design, or product design for manufacture. They choose design projects that have a good story and a good person behind them. MWDesign wants to be positively enhancing society through industrial design, manufacture and production, impacting people and the world in a positive way https://www.mwdesign.co.nz/kuki-reka-kani
Reduce the Number of Parts
Modular Design
Standard Components
Design Multi-Functional Parts
Design Parts for Multi-Use
Design for Ease of Fabrication
Choice of Materials
Be Aware of the Environment
Minimize Handling
Maximize Compliance
Now you know and understand what Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga are as well as Design Factors.
Whilst you will consider and use these principles and design factors throughout your project there will be specific times that you are showing these.
You need to show & write about:
What design factors you need to consider for your project?
Where and how you think you will be using these principles?
From your design factors, some of them will be more relevant within a principle, where do you feel they will be most evident?
Now it's time to work out what sort of project you might undertake and what it entails