Design Projects

Note: This page is the students' introduction to the Design Project activity. Students register their interest in one project (a non-working registration can be accessed from each advertisement) and they are sent details of the selection process.

Welcome to the avec esprit Design Projects

The avec esprit program, as you are probably finding out, is about 'applied' learning - not just knowing, but knowing what you can do with knowledge. Edward de Bono, who knows more about creative thinking than most people, has made up the term 'operacy', which is 'the skill of doing'. He claims it is just as important as literacy and numeracy. These design projects give you the chance to develop and demonstrate your practical and creative talents by responding to some 'real life' challenges. (The design projects have been set up to appear 'real life' but they are in fact a figment of my imagination.)
The instructions are presented online, and they are written as if you are a professional designer. Try and imagine yourself working on a project team, not as a student doing an assignment. Let's get going...

There are six projects. Have a look at each one, and then select the one you prefer. It may help if you picture yourself with the completed project having your photo taken for the local paper, then try and imagine the project that would fit best in the picture with you.

This advertisement appeared in a Melbourne newspaper recently:  

As a trainee product designer, you have been given a folio belonging to another designer who is currently on maternity leave. The folio contains a newsclipping from The Age (Monday 7th June 1999) titled: "Water saved with floating domes". A photograph with the article shows a man standing in a water storage area surrounded by floating plastic covers. Although a few years old, the recent drought has revived interest in the project, and a company has been appointed to select suitable designs and test prototypes with a view to having the covers commercially produced. The company Website includes this page:

This advertisement appeared in a Melbourne newspaper recently:
 

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Architectural Models Expressions of interest are invited from interested persons for the design, manufacture, and presentation of scale model building facades.  Our client is a major film company preparing to produce an historical drama, and requires several model building facades as background images. A complete description of the design project will be forwarded to those persons who register online before 31 July 2003. http://www.plasform.com.au/projects/register.html CINEMAXIMUS Motion Picture Project Management Castledown Street Sydney  2001

As a final year student, your TAFE teacher suggests you have a go at this:
 

While flicking through a friend's music magazine, you notice this advertisement:
 

Do you want to launch your design career at a major event this year?

Is rock music your thing?

Are you interested in stage design?

Stage Items and Backdrop Images

Iced Earth, Hammer Fall, 3 Doors Down

Our client is managing the Australian Tour of three major groups scheduled for later this year. Our client requires scale model stage props and digital images for the stage backdrops. They are inviting first-time stage designers to submit a sample of their work.  

Register your interest before Thursday 31st July 2003, and a project brief will be sent to you

 http://www.plasform.com.au/projects/register.html

TANTRELL PROMOTIONS
Advertising - Design - Project Management
Level 6, St Kilda Towers 
South Melbourne 3205

Online Registration Form example

Design Project Selection Process