Experimenting with materials in design

2D design

Student experimental portrait photograph — Image caption,
This student combined projected images, photography and drawing software to create a sense of depth and layering in this double portrait experiment

Whether you work with real materials or prefer digital design, you can still experiment with materials and techniques just as you would if drawing or painting.

Graphic communication

Techniques

Create imagery using painting or drawing techniques.
Cut up drawings or paintings to create shapes or lettering.
Use cut paper to create simplified imagery and lettering.
Use photography to capture imagery.
Scan your images and use digital editing software to experiment with their scale, colour saturation and contrast.
Use drawing and painting software to add marks to scanned images
Import images onto the computer and use image editing software to add lettering in different fonts and layouts.

Repeat pattern design

Techniques

Create a using expressive art techniques, such as drawing, painting or printing.
Use cut paper collage to simplify and the motifs.
Trace the motifs and transfer into different repeat formations.
Experiment with changing the scale of the motif.
Scan or import photographs of motifs and use a software package to experiment with different repeat patterns. You can easily change colours or proportions.
Create work on different digital layers and try combining different patterns and images.

Student experimental woven photograph of portrait — Image caption,
This student weaved images together to create a simple but effective grid pattern

3D design

Close up of aquarium lighting design model made with painted paper and art straws — Figure caption,
Working with paper, card, plastic straws and other cheap materials can be a good way to experiment with form and construction of 3D designs, as this student has done

Your experiments with materials and techniques could relate to the final product, structure or space you are designing.

They could also be about how you will present, using models, maquettes or drawings. Depending on the design area, different materials and techniques may be appropriate.

Product, interior, environmental design and architecture

Designers in these areas often make rough using card or corrugated cardboard to work out their ideas. Final design models are often made using card or . It is not unusual to leave the designs unpainted.

In product design, card and foamboard is often used to make concept models. If you are creating organic forms another modelable material such as clay or modelling compound may have to be used.

If you work digitally, creating models using a or is another way to show design concepts.

can be used to show ideas. This can be done with pencils or pens or made digitally using various software packages.

Try out different textures and colours of materials in your work to see how they would affect your final design.

Just because you are working in 3D doesn't mean you can't use drawing, painting or printing techniques. Try using images, abstract designs or patterns on surfaces.

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Experimenting with materials and techniques - AQAExperimenting with materials in design