Let’s Build Something (Really) Big Together @ Maker Faire

Hong Kong 2017Dr. Clifford Choy

School of Design, PolyUmccliff@polyu.edu.hk

8 Oct 2016

“Maker Faire HK 2017”• A project consists of

• Half-day Makers’ Day in 10 different locations in HK• Maker Faire HK 2017 on 8 and 9 Apr 2017• Maker projects to selected schools• Competitions and Exhibitions

• Funded by 150th Anniversary Standard Chartered Community Foundation

Let’s Build Something (Really) Big Together• A maker project to participating schools, and a contest

• Goal:• To allow students to collaborate to create something big (and hopefully

REALLY BIG) and creative with simple materials (e.g. cardboard, sticks, pvc tubes, ropes) and/or construction kits (e.g. StrawBees, MakeDo, Lego, MegaBlok). These "big things" will be exhibited and/or performed in the Maker Faire Hong Kong 2017.

Requirements (1)• Team

• Composed of one advisor and students• For Junior Category, number of students is limited to 10, and their average age

must NOT be above 13• For Senior Category, number of students is limited to 5, and their average age must

NOT be above 19

• The “big thing” should be ...• within a volume, having a base area of 3m2 and height of 3m• made from light-weight materials and properly secured and supported so as not to

create any safety issue in the exhibition area• designed with consideration of potentially strong wind in the exhibition area (note

that the exhibition area is on the podium level of PolyU campus)

Requirements (2)• Show-and-tell

• A show-and-tell period will be assigned for teams to share their process in designing and making their “big thing” during the MFHK2017

• Teams are strongly encouraged to supplement with photos and videos on their process and even physical prototypes

• Performance• If “big thing” can be performed (e.g. a costume with animating parts), a time

will be scheduled for the performance

Certificates and Prizes (1)• Certificate of Participation

• For each student member of each team who successfully exhibited/performed their work during MFHK2017

• Most impressive Big Thing (Visitors’ Choice)• For the “big thing” which is most impressive, as voted by visitors in MFHK2017• Certificate for each student member of winning team• A trophy for the winning team• Junior Category: Cash Prize HKD2000• Senior Category: Cash Prize HKD3000

Certificates and Prizes (2)• Most creative Big Thing

• For the “big thing” which is most creative, as determined by judges• Certificate for each student member of winning team• A trophy for the winning team• Junior Category: Cash Prize HKD2000• Senior Category: Cash Prize HKD3000

• Best “show-and-tell”• For the team who can best present their design process, from initial ideas to the final “big thing”• Certificate for each student member of winning team• A trophy for the winning team• Junior Category: Cash Prize HKD2000• Senior Category: Cash Prize HKD3000

Possible ideas: Big Heads

http://www.tested.com/art/makers/461436-maker-faire-2014-we-make-papercraft-big-head-costumes/

http://testroete.com/index.php?location=headhttp://www.paper-kit.com/en/

Possible ideas: Costumes

Maker Faire Bay Area 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvUQuiNN0Os

Possible Ideas: Costumes with Moving Parts

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-Minion-Halloween-costume/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-Ironman-Mark-VI-out-of-makedo-and-cardboard-/

http://www.kit-rex.com/new-page-1/

Maker Faire Hong Kong 2015, 28-29 Nov 2015

ScheduleDate Tasks (PolyU) Tasks (Participating School)Feb 2017 – Mar 2017 • Production of ”big thing”Apr 2017 • Assembly of “big things” in PolyU for

exhibition/performance8,9 Apr 2017 • Exhibition/performance of “big things”

during MFHK20179 Apr 2017 afternoon • Prize presentation ceremony

http://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/uk-creative-overview/news-and-views/view-what-is-design-and-why-it-matters

Recommended Process• Background research

• (desktop) Find out what have been done by others (Internet, magazine, others?)• (experience) Play with the wooden go-kart, play with other types of vehicles• (resources) Understand what materials, tools, and technologies are available and accessible; any friends to help?

• Brainstorm• On what to make• Explore possible ideas, foci, themes

• Explore materials, tools and technologies• Actual test, play with them, ….

• Prototype• Build something

• Evaluate• Test by yourself and others• Share what you have learned among each others

• Iterate• Repeat the above to improve

Brainstorming• Why?

• Generate as many ideas as possible

• How?• Identify a specific question to answer or problem to solve• Inform participants some time before brainstorming session for them to think about it

before the session• During session:

• Focus on quantity• Withhold criticism• Welcome unusual ideas• Build on others’ ideas (combine, improve)

• After session:• Go through generated ideas, categorize them, and explore possible actions

https://imagebox.com/design/human-centered-design-a-powerful-tool-for-brainstorming/

https://youtu.be/9K8W4ooygUU

Other References on Brainstorming• http://scottberkun.com/essays/34-how-to-run-a-brainstorming-meeti

ng/

• http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/05/4-steps-to-successful-brainstorming/#74546772388f

Reflective Journal

Gray, C. and Malins, J. (2004). Visualizing Research: A Guide to the Research Process in Art and Design. England: AshGate Publishing. Pg 58, Fig 2.9

Process Log• Keep track of what you have done in each stage

• References and reflections• Take many photos, especially on artifacts being created and how you made

them• Take photos/videos on how prototype works and feedbacks from testers• Reflect on what you have learned, “what will you next time”, ”what next”

• Keep a blog on the design process• At least one photo and a few words (no need for complete sentences)

• Share with us

Contacts• Ms Poki Chan

• Email: poki.chan@connect.polyu.hk

• Mr. Victor Cheung• Email: victorzzt@gmail.com

• Dr. Clifford Choy• Email: mccliff@polyu.edu.hk

Questions?