First Years, Fifth Project - How Stuff Works

You can't produce a piece of design (or illustration) for something you don't understand. 

Design and Illustration are both complex subjects, but at their heart lies one constant question that has to be answered:

What are we trying to communicate?

To achieve the level of understanding necessary to have something to say, we need to undertake very thorough research.

Usually, if the research has been fruitful, the actual structure of the design falls quite easily into place. There will probably be an obvious sequence that needs to be followed.

This is what this project was about - take a subject the students don't know anything about, set them to thoroughly research it and then ask them to design a digital publication that explains how the thing works in seven, double-page steps.

It couldn't be easier.

Hala & Caitlin explain the lifecycle of a black hole

Isabel & Harriet know everything there is to know about how gliders fly.

Everyone's wondered about how astronauts go to the loo at some point in their lives. James and David found out how!

Zac and Marisa make MIR scanners a little less complicated.

Josh and Harry clearly understand the inner complexities of the Thompson Submachine Gun.

Here's all you ever wanted to know about oil rigs from Edward & Sun.

Two stroke or four stroke? There's only one way to find out. Let's ask Emma & Aaron.

Submarines seem to be able to go up and down quite easily. Let's find out how from James, Lewis and Sarah.