Introduction - Modblock

Modblock is a project for Year 8 students that provide the opportunity for students to embody the modernist design style & philosophy into their work. The project enables the student to use existing skills related to design and making as well as begin to develop some strong graphic skills, physical and virtual modelling as well as identifying the significance that the modernist movement had and continues to have on the creative world.The study of design styles also helps students to understand the built environment and to appreciate how designers have responded to needs and culture.

Research

Modernist Design Style
Watch the slideshow of Modernist / International Style

Look closely at the designs which relate to common elements between Modernism and Post Modernist, geometric forms, and identify the uses of materials, functional qualities and aesthetic values. Here is an excellent resource: http://www.artsmia.org/modernism/
Task
Produce a visual information sheet answering the questions below and defining the above key words in bold, (size of the sheet is up to you - A3, A4, Google presentation, PPT or Glogster)
What seems to be the common elements found in Modernism? - think about shapes, forms, colours and patterns.
Find examples of modernist designs that clearly uses geometric shapes - these can be square, rectangle, circle, triangle, and patterned.
What kind of materials were popular and being used? Why do you think that was?
Here are some words or phrases that are frequently used when talking about modernism. Try and explain what you think they mean. Use examples if you can.

Purist
"Form Follows Function"
"Less is more"
Truth to materials

Metals
external image mix-metal-alloys.jpg

There are two main categories of metal ferrous and nonferrous, Can you define these terms and collect photos of objects around school that fall into these two categories.
All about metals
You should conduct some research into Aluminium - What are its properties? Where does it come from?
http://www.hydro.com/en/About-aluminium/How-its-made/

Knowledge & Understanding

Working with Aluminium
Bending
During this project you will use the folding jig to bend your aluminium - here is a very short video to give you an idea how it works:
http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/fold.php
Write a step by step instruction with photos of how to use a metal folder (bender).
Surface Finish
You will also consider the surface finish of your modblock. Experiment with different finishes and techniques, taking photos and notes for future reference. The techniques you can try: natural, polish, masked, swirls, matt, punched.
http://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog

Technical & Working Drawings
During this project you will be looking at orthographic views, oblique projection, one-point perspective and isometric. You will use each of these methods to draw your ideas and designs of you modblock.
Orthographic views