This is a Sec 2 Tea Light Holder Project.
Attempts are made by students to come up with a design for the holder that is both functional and aesthetics. Even though not all design and artefacts are successful, considerable amount of effort have been put in by most students. Below are my critique on some of the designs.
Class 2H
Class 2D and 2E
Class 2G
All designs look similar. A case of lack of creativity?
Design of the same genre or what I called 'a similar class'. All look like a container.
Design based on robot?
Note that the candles may burn the cover on the left and centre design.
Design by combining simple geometrical shape.
For one or two or more candles?
Cup and starfish design
Changing the shape of the edge or bending the acrylic will alter the design dramatically. It is just takes a bite more thinking and work.
Unfinished product with pencil markings
Finished product with decorated sufaces. Compare the stark differences with the one on the left.
Note the similarity in term of design. All has a long slender support mounted on a base.
Nice idea. It is a case of Yin n Yang symbol, or the Chinese 'Liang Ji' or is it
a face? hmm ... you decide..
A design based on carriage? The support are the four pieces of green acrylic.
This piece of artefact can be dismantled into parts. The original intention is to allow
the candle to be taken out or put in easily.
A beetle inspired design. Noted that red cover can swivel.
Design based on humanoid?
Note that candle places on the blue platform may slip if move around.
Design using number and letter. This student has broken the piece 4 times
and made numberous mistakes. But she persevered and eventually finished
the artefact. Talking about not giving up. This is the spirits.
Unique and complex design. Required time and effort to produce.
Using colour and shape to create a different impact or feels.
Note the 2nd from the right has a little extension to allow the user to hold onto
it.
Note the difficulty in retrieving or lighting the candle if the opening is too small.
Changing the design of the base by rounding. Imagine if the base is a square, it
would look plain.
Note that the 2 curved columns has a gap that allow the user to take the candle out.
More to ponder ...
Faces
Some students fall into the category I called "'Monkey sees, monkey do", there is no genuine attempt to create a product or to design. They see what others do and they simply follow.
Some students simply take a nonchalant attitude, they just want to complete the project in the shortest time and do it in a haphazard manner (no skills control, no effot made). Such artefacts usually have poor finishes, poor joints and damaged surfaces.
Some students wanted to play it safe and do only simple design but of course it looks boring.
A lot of students are afraid to seek my advice because I am famous for rejecting ideas and some harsh questioning over the design. But look here, it is for your own good because questioning will surface problems that you might not think of or it may give you fresh insights or ideas that may dramatically improve the looks or functions. Isn't all this part of the learning process?
Listen well and you will understand. Ask and you will learn more.