Using MYP design to mark a milestone

By Phil Lohmeyer

2018 is an important year for both the IB celebrating its 50^th anniversary and Whitby School in Connecticut, USA, celebrating 60 years. To mark the occasion, 8^th graders designed a contest to find our school’s 60^th anniversary logo by piloting a new system called Design Flags to deliver the most effective logo possible.

How did the Middle Years Programme (MYP) design directives help our process? Find out from four members of Whitby’s Class of 2018, who used Design Flags to tackle specific strands in the MYP curriculum’s design criterion.

Quinn

While working on the MYP design criterion around inquiry and analysis (for MYP teachers we’re talking about MYP design criterion A), 8^th grader Quinn looked at and learned from what was already ‘out there’.

“We studied existing principles of design. We looked at crest examples because many entries would be in the style of a crest. We also looked at a logo contest at Wellesley College, it included deadlines and “how to” enter the contest and helped me see that logos need to be submitted according to the dates advertised!”

Students can brainstorm in an organized way and study multiple products that can inspire potential solutions. This helped them have a sense of direction before creating, to establish exactly what they’re reaching for.

Matthew

While working on MYP design criterion B around developing ideas, 8^th grader Matthew learned about the audience, and discovered what was needed to have a successful contest.

“Whitby’s marketing department wanted a 60th logo contest for the Whitby community: 1st-8th grade, parents, and alumni. For production, we need students, project managers, and designs. If we created hype with our ads, and got a lot of entries, our contest would be a success.”

Students used the criterion around specifications to get specific with their intentions. Broadcasting is out, narrowcasting is in, as 8^th graders demonstrate with this video invitation. If they invest in calculated growth by establishing specs in advance, student projects will have more impact.

Seneca

While working on MYP design criterion C around creating the solution, 8^th grader Seneca identified certain necessary skills, in order to recruit allies who could carry out ideas.

 

By pinpointing the specific skills that were needed, and recruiting people with these skills, students discovered which talents solidify the form or function of their project. Students are encouraged to notice, act, and innovate when possible. Then call in the specialists.

Simon

While working on MYP design criterion D around evaluation, 8^th grader Simon reviewed incentives for participants, in order to develop the project further.

“We could improve how we informed the winner, as they didn’t know what the prize would be. The reward changed from having the logo on a “Save the Date” card to being on t-shirts. The contestant felt a little confused. We should have let the contestant know what they would be getting if they won, giving more of an incentive to participate.”

Students can provide insight into what should be fixed, in order to assist those working on future incarnations of the project. Students can change others’ lives for the better, with thoughtful changes to their project template.

On reflection

What worked well: Chunking this enormous project and taking each step individually. Using the Design Flag concepts on worksheets, whiteboards, posters, slides presentations, and anywhere the project plan lived enabled students to create consistency across classes.

What I would do differently: Scan the students’ completed Design Flags immediately, to ensure that none of our project ideas were lost or forgotten. Due to the length of the project, several students misplaced their Design Flags resulting in an occasional duplication of efforts.

For more tips on managing a project using MYP design directives, review our entire 16-week blog at www.whitbyschool.org/wave-the-flag. We found that using a language we were all familiar with, the timeless language of flag design, was a key factor in staying organized. Customize these Design Flags for your next class project, then wave them loudly, proudly, and persistently!

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Phil Lohmeyer is MYP design teacher at Whitby School and creator of Mr. Lohmeyer’s Design Flags. Phil says “Special thanks to Jonathan Chein, Simone Becker, and Michelle Summers (Whitby School Administration) for their support.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]