abc logoDownload a PDF worksheet set for ABC Designers

In 2003, the Australian Broadcasting  Commission (ABC) aired a series called “Designers”

The series was aired in 10 X 15 min episodes and can still be purchased from the ABC sales department. Details are at the end of this posting. I have found the series to be most useful for Senior Design and Technology students. The following is the programing description from the ABC.

This series explores the design process from conception to realisation in a broad range of settings. These programs present working designers solving real design problems. We see how they formulate their ideas and bring them to life as products or processes utilising a variety of materials, technologies and production methods. The aim of this series is to stimulate interest in design and the application of technologies for a secondary school audience.

Episode 1 – Ice Cream
The design of a new range of ice creams is followed from the original marketing concept, into the development kitchen, through various taste testing sessions, and finally to the factory for mass production.

Episode 2 – Web Site
The ABC Online team design and implement a new look for the JJJ Oz Music Month web site. The focus of the site is Australian music and features interactive and streaming delivery of information. (Students can visit the site online after viewing this program.)

Episode 3 – Timber Furniture
A timber furniture designer shows us how she makes a bench and a screen. She takes us through the process including the selection of the right timbers and construction using traditional joinery. She uses woodworking machines for most of the making process.

Episode 4 – Car
Two young automotive designers develop their concepts for the exterior and interior of a car. Their ideas are refined through the construction of full-scale clay models, and finally we see the cars being built on the assembly line.

Episode 5 – Fashion
A fashion designer for a street-wear label reveals the process that turns a sketch in his notebook into a garment hanging on the rack in a clothes shop. We see all the steps in the process.

Episode 6 – Shopping Complex
The work of architects and interior designers is highlighted in this program. They plan and supervise the building of a new suburban shopping complex, with all the design considerations that entails.

Episode 7 – Jewellery
An industrial designer shows up how he hand-makes high quality pressed jewellery from silver and gold. His process is contrasted with mass-produced jewellery cast from pewter for the surf market.

Episode 8 – Agriculture
A farmer shows us the system she designed for breeding alpacas and farming them for wool production. Another farmer details the system he has devised for growing and distributing hydroponic lettuces.

Episode 9 – Plastic Bottle
Two industrial designers devise an innovative new plastic sports drink bottle and a special sealing cap. The program introduces plastic as a material and shows the most common methods of manufacture used in the plastics industry.

Episode 10 – Solar Kayak
We meet a man who designs and builds solar-powered kayaks made from fiberglass. His craft is propelled by an electric motor that is powered by an innovative solar panel.

Schools can purchase the series from ABC Library sales

Download a PDF worksheet set for ABC Designers