Leodis V. McDaniel High School – The Art of Product Design

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

This project based course explores form, function and aesthetics. Students will learn about a broad range of design related careers and gain an understanding for the impact and influence that craft and design can have on the world. Students will create prototypes as well as a final product for each design challenge. Class sessions are primarily workshop based and include hands-on activities, group discussion, demonstrations, and slide-presentations to reinforce the key ideas. Topics include identifying consumer needs, investigating problems in design, refining ideas, material use, design for production and manufacturing, production costs and retail pricing. We will explore a variety of materials and techniques such as: Clay, Mixed Media Sculpture: Wood, Cement, Plaster, and Wire, Metalsmithing Techniques, and Jewelry design. We will meet with local designers and visit a variety of local production facilities to learn about their process and products. Hands on experiences provide opportunities for a multitude of learning styles, increase student confidence, and can improve overall academic performance. As a CTE course, we will incorporate business education and career related experiences in the form of field trips and visitors from industry.