Year 7 Design Tech at MGC

By Frances Graham 7L1

As a New Year 7 student at MGC Design Tech, or DT to my fellow students, is a new subject for us all. DT is all about learning designing skills and about the process of design and of making. We get to do a variety of creative projects using woodwork, sewing and jewellery making.

I am lucky enough to have the wonderful Miss Etheridge to teach me DT. In Term One we had the softie project, where you design and create crazy creatures which you sew into soft toys or pillows. In this project we learn different sewing stitches, how to make a pattern and how to label your drawings.

Some Q & A with Design Technology teacher Miss Etheridge:

When did you start teaching?

 I started teaching in September 1999

Looks like Miss Etheridge has a 20 year anniversary coming up this September!

What do you enjoy about teaching Design Tech?

 I enjoy teaching DT because students all get to take something home and feel empowered and proud of what they’ve accomplished. 

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened in class?

 The craziest things cannot be printed I’m afraid, but I did have to stop a boy from tapping me on the head with a hammer once - he thought it would be funny - like the cartoons!

You used to be an art teacher, is there much difference?

 Art and DT are both fun to teach. Art makes me concentrate more for longer periods, whereas DT is more full on in the moment. 

Any tips for your DT students?

Don’t always go for the first idea that you have. Try to think deeply about a range of possibilities and try a few different things out. You may surprise yourself!  

Thanks Miss E for all the helpful advice!

What I have learned from this project is to not go for your first idea, and to try to come up with a few options, and most of all don’t rush things.

Some finished results from the softie project: