Chemistry Design and Technology - SD Online Home

Alex Bull
Alex designed and made a most interesting pool table.
As can be seen by the photograph it is pentagonal in
shape, which in itself opens up a whole new ball game
(no pun intended). It
is complex in design
and the accuracy of
the cuts to form the
corners demonstrates
a high level of skill.
The edges are cushioned
and provide the
table with excellent
bounce properties.
The table surface
itself is covered in felt
and it is good to see
textiles used as a
combination material
in this subject area.
To design, develop
and construct such a
piece is difficult
enough but Alex has
also incorporated an ingenious system that allows the
balls to return to a collection slot once pocketed. When
you consider that Alex not only manufactured an excellent
piece but also produced a full design portfolio you
begin to realise that the subject involves high multi-task
skills
Selina Bisnath
Selina designed and made a storage system that would
be ‘at home’ in any home. As can be seen she developed
her idea to include a multi-cultural theme. In this
approach, Selina has finished her work with Chinese lettering,
which highlight and accentuate the product. This
is a great East meets West piece with a traditional
Western design incorporating Eastern decoration. All of
the corners are constructed with
multiple finger joints that are
incredibly accurate. Selina
decided to develop her idea
through the inclusion of
metals. The door panel
is polished aluminium
and adds a mirrored
dimension to the
product, which is
most effective. She
produced an outstanding
design folder
that included both manual
and computer generated graphics.
Selina’s dedication was outstanding and she truly
deserved her examination result.
Nathan Giles
Nathan designed and made a particularly interesting
piece. Its function is to store components and equipment
used in the field of home brewed beer. Nathan informed
me that this was his father’s hobby but his father
seemed to think otherwise. This piece is quite fascinating
in its manufacture. The main body of the case is con-
structed from layers of 3mm plywood, which
are formed using a process called laminating.
Over the past few years, this has
become a particularly favoured
process in the department due to its
complexity and aesthetic quality.
Nathan formed the triangular
lamination around a jig
that he also had to manufacture
which
increased his workload
through making something
in order to make
something else. The
accuracy to which he
worked is outstanding
when you consider that
all of the laminates had to
meet up top to tail. Nathan
is now studying the subject at A level and we wish him
even more success.
Libby Rayss
In Design and Technology, big is not always beautiful.
Complexity and processes are as impressive as size.
Libby designed and made this very exciting storage box.
What particularly catches your eye is the stained glass
effect. When it catches the sunlight the piece positively
sings. This may of course sound a little over dramatic
but when a student such as Libby is brave enough to
produce a small, precise piece of work when all around
her others still hold the belief that big is best you have to
admire her bravery. The framework is constructed from
U profiled lead and is very accurately joined together via
soldering. Metalwork is not over employed in the depart-
ment as we do not possess a vast amount of equipment
required and so it is refreshing to see a product, which
has incorporated the facilities we do have. As I have previously
said, the stained glass effect is quite stunning
and is created through the use of specialised paints and
techniques which have been used in the Art Department.
All in all this is an excellent example of cross-curricular
links, which without doubt have affected the student.