The Leys School and Robin Freebairn

Duration: One week
Teachers: Simon Mower
Students: Year 12

Robin Freebairn works for Cambridge Design Partnership, a multi-disciplinary agency specialising in electronic, power system and software design.

Activity

Robin was inspired by research being carried out at Cambridge University to set a task based on the theme of sustainability. The students used ‘disability props’ to recreate the experience of using products from the perspective of the elderly or disabled.

Robin then gave the students five products to redesign: battery packaging, pill packaging, sandwich packaging, drink cans and paint packaging. The students worked in pairs with Robin giving constant encouragement and tips, such as techniques for drawing and how to explain your ideas to a client.

Students were encouraged to give feedback on each others’ work at both the interim and final critique stages. During the final session they were joined by a researcher from the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, which specialises in inclusive design, to help with model making, concept refinements, presentation skills and design critique.

Feedback

Designer

Robin said he was surprised by how competent the students were. ‘These students are the designers of tomorrow. I’ve been impressed with the level of thinking and interest they have.’

Kenneth was full of praise for the results achieved by the students. 'The youngsters really came up trumps and were both creative and practical in their approach,' he said.

He added that he found taking part in the project satisfying. ‘I have enjoyed working on a project that is pure design and free from consultancy constraints. I wanted to teach the children how important the design process is. I’ve learnt that the skills of teaching are not automatic and it’s been interesting to see the teacher/student dynamic and how student potential is unlocked.’

Students

Alex said she enjoyed the week. ‘The best bit was the brainstorming session,’ she said. ‘It was very different to the class atmosphere where there is no professional feedback. Working in a group environment is much better for bouncing ideas off each other and the modelling and prototyping throughout was an eye-opener.’