SCholarship Assessment Task 2023 

Assessment tasks

Your assessment will be split into 4 parts: Producing a range of sketches within a limited time; Making a foam model from a design idea; Discussion interview; Portfolio.  

Task 1 - sketching creativity - 'Pre-prep fun power handtools' (1 hour)

Design a 'range' of play workshop powertools (drill, jigsaw, chainsaw, grinder, sander, blowtorch, gluegun etc.) for nursery / reception age children to play with in Pre-Prep. They do not work, although some parts could move, so very young children use their imagination as though they do work. They should be playful and fun i.e. large buttons, soft shapes, lights?, characters? etc.

You need to produce a range of rendered sketches. The more rendered sketches you can produce the better but you should aim for at least 3 to 4 in the time you are given. You can submit your work in any format and use any tools and media to complete the assessment challenge i.e. you could produce a page of 2D marker rendered sketches with a 3D rendered idea; Digital sketched ideas; 2 Point perspective ideas in 3D; some Onshape modelling and transfer to Procreate; some Onshape rendered ideas etc. You need to demonstrate your skills both in communication and in creativity. You could use Onshape and Shapr3D to create AR models for testing ideas if you can do this quickly! 

example 2

Blue pencil sketches. These should be fast. Get as many ideas as possible on the paper!

Apply black fine line pen to the outlines. Thin lines (0.3 - 0.5) on inside lines. These show the detail of the design.

Thick lines (0.8) around the outside of the designs help them to stand out on the page. They can also communicate additional detail such as where there is a hole all the way through the design shape such as for a handle (like on the butterfly design).

Rendering using Procreate

Procreate offers many advantages when rendering design ideas. You can use layers to which can help if your make mistakes. The colour drop method allows you to add colour quickly. The images on the page can be easily moved around, resized and adapted. Text tool allows you to type words if you have poor handwriting or weak spelling. The mask tool allows for fast application of brushes in an accurate way.

The colour drop method has been used to fill the shapes with basic colour. This method is fast but the shapes look flat and 2D

Shadows and highlights using an airbrush (the soft clean air in the sketch a day megapack is recommended) need to be added to make the ideas appear 3D.

You should annotate your design work as you go along. Annotations describe and explain your ideas as well as your critical analysis. Say what you see and what you are thinking about the design. Make sure you explain your thoughts, e.g. explain for example in the image it sayes "i love this idea" but a better annotation would be "i love this idea because of the bright colours that will appeal to pre-prep age children and the way the chamelion contrasts with the handle."

Reference images of 'real' hand held power tools

Task 2 - foam modelling - 'Pre-prep fun power handtools' (90 minutes)

You need to model, from foam, the design idea sketch below to produce a quick concept prototype. This could ideally be full size or a scale model if you prefer. You can use any of the workshop equipment to help you model this design i.e. hot wire cutters, power frett saw, hand tools including files and abrasive papers. You also need to detail one part and so you need to accuratey cut this part from laser plywood and add / insert it to your foam model. 


Model this design idea using foam

detail this part from plywood

Task 3&4 - Interview & discussion, including the sharing of your portfolio of work

During the modelling task I will ask you to come and speak with me about why you want to be a D&T scholar; to tell me about a favourite designer, architect or engineer and why you like their work; to share with me your portfolio and discuss your work with me.