Design at Home
Design at Home
We believe design can be by and for anyone. By extension, that means it can be anywhere, too. So here are some projects that student designers can do at home! And, let’s be honest, some non-student designers might have a good time with some of these activities as well!
Experiments with Typography: Best for elementary students, but good for all ages
Designers communication ideas through form (shapes) and content (words). By taking a word and changing it, you can design a way to show what that word means. Through playful experimentation, students can make typography talk!
Ideas without Words Collage: Best for junior high and high school students, younger students with adult help
Using collage and drawing, design a poster that is inspired by a quote. How can you communicate an idea without using words, only shapes and colors?
Memory Mapping: Best for junior high and high school students, younger students with adult help
Map designers have a lot of power. They choose what information their map communicates and how to share that information. From memory, design a map of a place or route that is important to you.
Cartoon Remix: Best for elementary students and older, but younger students can adapt to simply draw their own characters
Use characteristics of your favorite cartoon and comic book characters to inspire the design of a new character of your own!
Theater Marquees: Best for elementary students, but good for all ages
From the moment you encounter a theater, before entering the building, you are in a designed experience that evokes excitement through a dazzling array of thousands of individual, sparkling light bulbs. Marquee designers have very specific rules they must follow, using a grid of lightbulbs and colors. Design an eye-catching marquee shape for your favorite theater!
The Shape of Chicago: Best for elementary students, but good for all ages
Using only red, blue, and green, and triangles, circles, and rectangles, create abstract images of things you love about your city!
Design Scavenger Hunt: Good for all ages
There is incredible design around us every day and we want you to find it. (If you go outside, don’t forget to practice safe social distancing!) Take photos and tag us on social media @designmuseumchi – we’d love to see what you uncover!
Frottage: Good for all ages
What if you could create artwork only using the surfaces around your house? Explore your surroundings and learn about texture through this frottage project.
Superhero Self Portrait: Best for elementary students, but good for all ages
If you had powers for a day what would you do? Through design techniques, you will transform into your very own problem-solving superhero self.
Handscapes: Best for high school students
Use surrealism, collage, and imagination to create your own reality-defying masterpiece.
Collecting Projects for Students
We are looking for project suggestions for students of all ages to do at home. This is where you come in. Would you please share a project suggestion?