About the Recipe
We see the world in 3D, but how can we see our 3D world differently? Put on your imaginary ‘3D’ glasses, to think outside of this world! Let’s re-envision and re-imagine the world around us…
This activity asks players to think creatively re-imagine and re-design everyday objects, giving them alternative functions and purposes.
Participatory Learning
Critical and Creative Thinking
Speculative Thinking
Learning Goals
Fosters critical thinking and speculative thinking to envision different ways of designing and engaging with clothing and objects, for better alternatives.
Examines and re-examines the role design plays in our daily lives.
Nurturing an out-of-this-world approach to wearing, engaging with and using clothing and objects.
Further Explanation
This activity asks players to think creatively about how everyday objects can be re-imagined, re-designed and given alternative functions and purposes.
Through visually and physically examining objects, we can consider the implications of their current design and envision better future alternatives.
Ingredients
One clothing item or object (per person). These can be collected by the adult leading the recipe or brought in by the players.
Drawing tools – pens, pencils, crayons etc.
Plain paper or notebook/notepad
Designed Resources
You can use these resources digitally or printed:
What Can You See in 3D? Activity Sheet
Recipe Prep & Play-Space Set Up
RECIPE PREP
You will need to either instruct the players to bring in a variety of random clothes/objects/items, or you will need to collect and provide them yourself. You could source them from your own things, friends and family or thrift them.
PLAY-SPACE SET UP
Ensure there is enough space for all players to sit in a circle on the floor or in chairs with space in front of you. This recipe involves drawing, so you could use tables or something to lean on.
Method
LET’S PLAY!
‘What Can You See in 3D?’ can be played as an extension of the
‘Pass-The-Dress-Ups’ recipe.
You can play this by yourself or with lots of people!
If you have played the ‘Pass-The-Dress-Ups’ recipe, you can use an item
you have already found and skip to step 2.
Introduce the recipe – see the ‘About’ section.
If you have played the ‘Pass-The-Dress-Ups’ game, you can use items already found/chosen and skip to step 2.
1. If you are providing players with random object/s, you can either let them choose the item or you can hand them out randomly.
If players have their own random objects, ensure they have them ready to use.
As players complete these tasks, they will use and fill in the What Can You See in 3D? Activity Sheet either printed or digitally OR they can write their answers down in their notebook or on paper.
2. Ask the players to place the object in front of them and observe the object.
Tell them to look carefully at the object, noticing its shape, colour, texture and pattern. Tell them to touch the object, and feel its surface, edges, shape and size.
Ask them:
- What material do you think it’s made from?
- How do you think it was made?
- Why do you think it was made?
- What is this item’s purpose?
Players write down their thoughts and observations about the object on the activity sheet OR in their notebook.
See below for an example:
FOR EXAMPLE:
I found a whisk in my kitchen. I observed its long wooden handle and large wired loops. I think the loops are made from silver stainless steel.
I don’t know exactly how it is made but I am guessing the different sections were individually made and then attached together.
I know it was made for mixing different liquids like eggs or in baking because it helps make them fluffy. It is very smooth but also has a strong and hard structure.
4. Once players have observed the object, ask them to draw the object exactly as they see it, what it currently looks like unchanged.
Encourage players to draw their objects to the best of their abilities!
There is no such thing as a bad drawing.
Players can use the space in the activity sheet or their own paper.
5. Now, ask players to re-imagine and re-invent the object’s purpose and design. You can encourage a group discussion or discussion in pairs.
What else could this object be used for or how else could it be worn?
Encourage players to be as inventive and creative as possible.
There is no such thing as a silly idea!
Players can use the space in the activity sheet or their own paper.
6. Ask players to loosely sketch different ideas of how this object could be used or worn.
7. Ask players to choose a final design and draw this design.
They need to label its new features and reinvented qualities.
What does this new object do? How is it used or worn? What is it made of?
FOR EXAMPLE:
A whisk could be turned into shoes, the wired loops create a sturdy but bouncy structure. Or it could be used as a gentle head massager!
8. Facilitate a group discussion and show and tell with the players.
They can share their ideas and drawings with each other and with the group. They can discuss these reinvented objects.
Encourage players to ask lots of questions. Spark curiosity!
LET’S KEEP COOKING!
Repeat and reimagine another item or a whole range of objects!