In this project I explored what it is like living on the everchanging coasts of Britain and how people have adapted over the years. I wanted to investigate how the characteristics of coasts around the UK have been shaped by their history and how these traditional aspects of coastal living have been sustained throughout centuries of change.
I am going to reflect on how much technology has really shaped the way of life and whether traditional aspects are still essential in keeping the atmosphere of coastal towns. The main materials that I have used in my project are oil paints and wax crayons, this decision was informed by looking at how materials and traditions have remained through thousands of years in coastal living, these materials reflect the hard-wearing nature of the coast.
Wax and oil are water resistant which reflects the strength and reliability of boats and other materials that are vital in the running of coastal towns. The hard work of people and the equipment is what keeps the traditions alive.
A-Level textile design encourages students to work with a wide variety of skills and processes across the fields of textiles, fashion and interiors. This includes printed textiles, constructed textiles, embroidery, fashion construction, weaving and fabric manipulation. Students are introduced to different techniques which they are then able to develop into personal outcomes. This can be clearly seen within the variety of imaginative outcomes produced by the students.
Learners are encouraged to explore both historical and contemporary techniques and to support their work with research into a range of suitable artists, designers, and trends. They are prepared for industry or Higher Education and all the students from this year are continuing their education by pursuing degrees in fashion and textiles or progressing onto the art foundation diploma course.
I hope that you find the work inspiring. I am very proud of what the learners have achieved this year, particularly due to the additional challenges that Covid has presented.
Congratulations to all of the 8 students in GCE Product Design this year for being a brilliant group and keeping motivated throughout lockdown. Myself and Richard have enjoyed teaching, supporting and spending time with you over the last two years. You have taken the timetable changes in your stride and made the most of online learning sessions. All of the students have produced a wide range of creative and innovative design solutions to user-centred problems working with real life clients. I want to give special thanks to Darren Roberts and his talented welding students for technical assistance with 2 of the projects. Also big thanks to Horace Dennis and Simon Morris for feedback on the design concept for an extension to Dudley Sixth. We wish all of you the best at university and in your chosen careers.
Adrian Eynon, GCE Product Design Tutor
Amman Ahmed
Outdoor Educational Space
Ammandecided to look at how he could design an outdoor educational space as an extension to Dudley Sixth Form that could be used as a multi-purpose environment for education and relaxation. He carried out thorough investigation and gained useful advice from Horace and other members of Sixth form staff to guide his thoughts.
The architectural concept was designed for a specific site by the side of Priory Villa in front of the Sixth Form block. The prototype model was built to 1:100th scale using a range of relevant materials to represent the actual building. This is an outstanding project and Amman has worked exceptionally well to create very high standard CWK and finished prototype model. Well done!
Joshua Rollinson-Dainty
Security Rucksack to Deter Theft
Joshua identified a need to improve the design of ruck-sacks as there is a high level of theft suggesting that current designs are not designed with security in mind. He investigated existing products, carried out tests which led to design sketches and small scale model-making. He made some excellent small scale detailed models and a 1: 5 final prototype from foam board.
What is impressive is that Joshua decided to make the full-size version from similar materials as may be used in a commercial version. He worked carefully to produce detailed moulds to vacuum form for the sides. The completed model reflects his high level of attention to detail and the end product is excellent. Well done!
Oliver Gilkes
Micro-Space for Urban Living
Oliver decided to investigate modern solutions to urban living. He researched into the area and saw how the cost of living had increased and there is a trend to live in smaller spaces. This led him to look at designing this efficient and stylish interior. The aesthetic style is based on minimalist and modernist design and architecture influenced by Japanese interiors.
His brother, a University student acted as the user/client for feedback for evaluation. Oliver worked on a 1:10 scale to produce a realistic model using relevant materials and processes. Many of the components were laser-cut and other parts were made by hand with great skill. The final model is of a very high standard and combined with the CAD modelling represent an outstanding project. Well done!
Alex Harris
Micro-sleep Devices and Detection System
Alex has tackled the serious issue of Micro-sleep. This is when drivers can drift off, become unconscious behind the wheel, potentially resulting in serious or sometimes fatal accidents. He identified this design problem in a 1st year project and decided to extend it into a much more detailed investigation.
This year he created two devices including a smart wristwatch and a dashboard mounted camera-sensorwhich he has modelled full scale and also made a carry bag to contain these as a finished product. During the research Alex realised he also wanted to make the products more customisable and based his designs on the style of Memphis with bright colours and patterns. This is a good project which has tried to tackle a serious challenge, creating aesthetically pleasing products. Well done!
Abi Holl
Bakery Storage and Display Stand
Abi is a keen amateur baker who runs her own successful cake making business. She identified a need to design an improved bakery storage unit for equipment and also included a display stand for her decorated cakes.
She has created a design that combines form and function based on the shape of the stylised petals of a flower. The storage unit holds equipment effectively and is also a very aesthetically pleasing focal point for a kitchen or market stand.
This is an outstanding project both in CWK and the standard of the end product and should be well used by Abi in years to come. Well done!
Owen Robertson
Multi-Sensory Rainbow Arch
Owen originally intended to design this for the Birmingham Children Hospital, but die to COVID restrictions was unable to gain feedback, Instead we contacted Aspire Dudley and gained useful feedback from staff. Once it is safe we will be giving the finished multi-sensory Rainbow Arch to a hospital.
The product has been made full-size and is fully functioning. It is fabricated from steel and was assisted by staff and students at Advance 2. Many thanks to you! This project is an excellent result considering the challenge of designing without the necessary client feedback. Owen has stayed motivated and completed a very good CWK project with a good final prototype. Well done!
Nuria Rowley
Over-Bed Desk for Bed-ridden Client
Nuria designed her over-bed desk for her own grand-father as she had seen design faults in the existing product they owned. In simple terms the existing desk was ugly, over-engineered and not fit for purpose.
Throughout the project she gained good client research and has created innovative designs leading to an aesthetically pleasing product. Without much modification this could be sold commercially and is an outstanding working prototype. Well done!
Many thanks to the staff and students in Advance 2 who assisted with production.
Caitlin Siviter
Post-COVID Desk for Home-working
Caitlin recognised that over lockdown it was quite difficult to find space to work from home and saw the opportunity to design a compact multi-use work desk for a home-working office. This is an exception piece of design work both in CWK and the end practical project. She carried out detailed initial research with a real client, which led to outstanding design sketches and development.
The final model is made full-size and fully-functioning including a laser-cut storage system and a vacuum formed tray insert for equipment. What has impressed most is that Caitlin has worked for the main independently with minimum support. Well done!
A-Level Photography allows learners the opportunity to express themselves creatively while exploring ideas and concepts that are personal and meaningful. This is clearly demonstrated across the wonderful work created by this years A-Level cohort. I could not be prouder of the work and achievements made by each member of the Photography group.
Learners often choose issues within society as a means to connect their Photography to an audience. The course consistently challenges them to problem solve and improve both quality and concept as they progress. This ultimately prepares them for both industry and Higher Education.
Industry-standard software and equipment are embedded throughout the course to again support progression, exploring the Creative Cloud Adobe Suite with programs such as Photoshop and Lightroom for image editing, along with InDesign to create their stunning portfolios and project work. To allow for a deeper understanding of photography, learners are encouraged to work with both modern and traditional techniques such as darkroom and Cyanotypes. This 2-year programme builds theoretical and practical knowledge to allow our learners the creative means to express themselves through Photography.
I hope you enjoy exploring the work from this year’s Photography learners.
Simon Morris, A-Level Photography Tutor, Dudley Sixth
The role of a graphic designer is incredibly varied. You may find yourself immersed in a fantasy world while designing a set of illustrations for a book, or exploring complex data to create exciting and vibrant infographics that inform rather than confuse.
Graphic communication students at Dudley Sixth are introduced to a wide selection of processes and techniques. Using a range of both traditional and digital methods, they are encouraged to move beyond their comfort zones to produce a variety of work supported by an understanding of design theory and a developing awareness of contemporary practitioners to inform and influence their ideas.
In their second year, students begin to develop their own visual identity while becoming increasingly self-directed and independent, producing a collection of work tailored to their interests and specialisms. This could be an advertising campaign, design work for a clothing website or a set of illustrations for an album sleeve or book. Throughout the year, students will be encouraged to try new approaches and consolidate the skills they have learned in their first year to produce strong, challenging and professionally-produced designs. I believe you will see all of these qualities in this year’s second year work. I hope you enjoy it.
Chris Worley, A-Level Graphics Tutor, Dudley Sixth
In a usual year, A-Level fine art students would have the opportunity to complete two projects over the duration of year two – one self-set, the other selected from externally-set topics released by the exam board and whose final outcome would be produced during an exam. These would normally form a 60/40 split.
This year, the students have been completing one project for the whole year. The pieces of work you see here are the results of a very difficult year, both academically and generally. The results are a real testament to my students’ resilience, willingness to engage with online learning and the sheer determination of every single one of them. They should be extremely proud of their achievements – as am I – and I wish them all the luck for the future.
Gillian Worley, A-Level Fine Art Tutor, Dudley Sixth
Congratulations to all of the 8 students in GCE Product Design this year for being a brilliant group and keeping motivated throughout lockdown. Myself and Richard have enjoyed teaching, supporting and spending time with you over the last two years. You have taken the timetable changes in your stride and made the most of online learning sessions. All of the students have produced a wide range of creative and innovative design solutions to user-centred problems working with real life clients. I want to give special thanks to Darren Roberts and his talented welding students for technical assistance with 2 of the projects. Also big thanks to Horace Dennis and Simon Morris for feedback on the design concept for an extension to Dudley Sixth. We wish all of you the best at university and in your chosen careers.
Adrian Eynon, GCE Product Design Tutor
Amman Ahmed
Outdoor Educational Space
Ammandecided to look at how he could design an outdoor educational space as an extension to Dudley Sixth Form that could be used as a multi-purpose environment for education and relaxation. He carried out thorough investigation and gained useful advice from Horace and other members of Sixth form staff to guide his thoughts.
The architectural concept was designed for a specific site by the side of Priory Villa in front of the Sixth Form block. The prototype model was built to 1:100th scale using a range of relevant materials to represent the actual building. This is an outstanding project and Amman has worked exceptionally well to create very high standard CWK and finished prototype model. Well done!
Joshua Rollinson-Dainty
Security Rucksack to Deter Theft
Joshua identified a need to improve the design of ruck-sacks as there is a high level of theft suggesting that current designs are not designed with security in mind. He investigated existing products, carried out tests which led to design sketches and small scale model-making. He made some excellent small scale detailed models and a 1: 5 final prototype from foam board.
What is impressive is that Joshua decided to make the full-size version from similar materials as may be used in a commercial version. He worked carefully to produce detailed moulds to vacuum form for the sides. The completed model reflects his high level of attention to detail and the end product is excellent. Well done!
Oliver Gilkes
Micro-Space for Urban Living
Oliver decided to investigate modern solutions to urban living. He researched into the area and saw how the cost of living had increased and there is a trend to live in smaller spaces. This led him to look at designing this efficient and stylish interior. The aesthetic style is based on minimalist and modernist design and architecture influenced by Japanese interiors.
His brother, a University student acted as the user/client for feedback for evaluation. Oliver worked on a 1:10 scale to produce a realistic model using relevant materials and processes. Many of the components were laser-cut and other parts were made by hand with great skill. The final model is of a very high standard and combined with the CAD modelling represent an outstanding project. Well done!
Alex Harris
Micro-sleep Devices and Detection System
Alex has tackled the serious issue of Micro-sleep. This is when drivers can drift off, become unconscious behind the wheel, potentially resulting in serious or sometimes fatal accidents. He identified this design problem in a 1st year project and decided to extend it into a much more detailed investigation.
This year he created two devices including a smart wristwatch and a dashboard mounted camera-sensorwhich he has modelled full scale and also made a carry bag to contain these as a finished product. During the research Alex realised he also wanted to make the products more customisable and based his designs on the style of Memphis with bright colours and patterns. This is a good project which has tried to tackle a serious challenge, creating aesthetically pleasing products. Well done!
Abi Holl
Bakery Storage and Display Stand
Abi is a keen amateur baker who runs her own successful cake making business. She identified a need to design an improved bakery storage unit for equipment and also included a display stand for her decorated cakes.
She has created a design that combines form and function based on the shape of the stylised petals of a flower. The storage unit holds equipment effectively and is also a very aesthetically pleasing focal point for a kitchen or market stand.
This is an outstanding project both in CWK and the standard of the end product and should be well used by Abi in years to come. Well done!
Owen Robertson
Multi-Sensory Rainbow Arch
Owen originally intended to design this for the Birmingham Children Hospital, but die to COVID restrictions was unable to gain feedback, Instead we contacted Aspire Dudley and gained useful feedback from staff. Once it is safe we will be giving the finished multi-sensory Rainbow Arch to a hospital.
The product has been made full-size and is fully functioning. It is fabricated from steel and was assisted by staff and students at Advance 2. Many thanks to you! This project is an excellent result considering the challenge of designing without the necessary client feedback. Owen has stayed motivated and completed a very good CWK project with a good final prototype. Well done!
Nuria Rowley
Over-Bed Desk for Bed-ridden Client
Nuria designed her over-bed desk for her own grand-father as she had seen design faults in the existing product they owned. In simple terms the existing desk was ugly, over-engineered and not fit for purpose.
Throughout the project she gained good client research and has created innovative designs leading to an aesthetically pleasing product. Without much modification this could be sold commercially and is an outstanding working prototype. Well done!
Many thanks to the staff and students in Advance 2 who assisted with production.
Caitlin Siviter
Post-COVID Desk for Home-working
Caitlin recognised that over lockdown it was quite difficult to find space to work from home and saw the opportunity to design a compact multi-use work desk for a home-working office. This is an exception piece of design work both in CWK and the end practical project. She carried out detailed initial research with a real client, which led to outstanding design sketches and development.
The final model is made full-size and fully-functioning including a laser-cut storage system and a vacuum formed tray insert for equipment. What has impressed most is that Caitlin has worked for the main independently with minimum support. Well done!
For my personal investigation I decided to gain my inspiration from Digbeth in Birmingham. My project was based around the bold graffiti found on the walls. I found that experimenting with the embellisher complimented this project perfectly as it enhanced the nature of graffiti as it looked like sprays from a spray can. I also explored bold lettering, hand stich and machine embroidery to conduct my final piece. Positive words and phrases really inspired me through my project, due to such uncertain times in the world due to coronavirus I thought spreading positive messages for people to see on things such as their daily walks was beneficial to the indefinite times, we are living in. Clouds became the dominant theme from my original photographs to spread the well-being quotes in the local area. I then began to turn this into a garment of a dress to allow it to be showcased on the runway for people to see. The clouds became detachable form the piece to be able to place them in other places to be available for as many people to see as possible. To spread the message even more I also decided to make my own Instagram page to allow my work to be shared as much as possible.
My project evolved into work based on fast food, its aggressive marketing and the results of these ending up in the appearance of excess body fat. I looked at the packaging of fast-food items and started to manipulate them in different ways, gravitating towards the heat-based samples that shrunk and bubbled plastic materials like crisp packets. I used hand stitch work to add words onto these samples, words like EAT and CONSUME that reflect the immoral aims of food marketing.
I used tights, stuffing and rubber bands to create these 3d pieces that I intended to replicate to look of body fat, I used heat transfer techniques to put red lines onto the fabric that mirror the blood vessels in body fat, and then stitched into the largest sample with the text work. With these 3d pieces I also produced two masks constructed from the heated plastic and the stitched text-work, the focus being around the mouth area was intentional as the project is based around food consumption.
