Abstract:

Oftentimes it is difficult for the design student to make the connection from ideology to a completed design. The transition from design ideation to manufactured product is not made because either the student is not afforded hands on experience or given practical application. Entry level designers may not even be privy to the final solution. Select few may be part of the valuable experience of the design build process or operations and maintenance. To afford opportunities to make this association, one of the first studio projects in a sophomore level studio was to design and construct a clock. The design of the clock was the students’ choice, but it had to fall within parameters identified by the professor. Students were supplied with a quartz clock movement and hands for the movement. The project was designed to get students acquainted with working in the laboratory and provide experiences with materials, selected basic machines and hand tools. It was to be constructed in a short period of time and was suitable for beginning woodworkers and those who had previous experience working with wood. The students could use all hand tools and selected machines for the construction and assembly of the clock. Studio requirements and clock creation included design ideation, concept development, woodworking safety and procedures, process sketches, process models and the final clock design and manufacture. Outcome summary was the students gained factual knowledge in terms of computer and manufacturing terminology, classification, and methods as well as learned to apply course material to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions. Secondary accomplishments were that the students acquired skills in working with others as a member of a team. The project addressed the ways in which the constructed environment is conceptualized and the transformation to product creation.

Keywords:

Innovation, technology, manufacturing, constructed knowledge, design process.