1. The stimulus materials are various items designed by Alberto Alessi.
You could use photographs or you may have a ‘hands-on’ collection
in school.

2. Question? What have all these designs got in common?
(design criteria?)
(here are my suggestions, you should be able to add more)
bright colours
fun
little people
have faces/hands/features
smiling
mostly for the kitchen
made from ?

3. 1. You have 10 minutes to sketch some of your own ideas
Two approaches here:
1. You have 10 minutes to sketch some of your own ideas
(see design sheet on next page)
2. Give each pupil 2/3 post-its. On each they should
sketch a different idea. All should be stuck onto the
board/door after 5 minutes.
Each pupil has to vote for the 4 they think are the best
and fulfil the criteria. (a little tick on each they choose is
appropriate)
This approach shows that there are lots of ideas, it’s easy
to do and sharing ideas gives you more options.
(apologies to DATA for my interpretation of their idea!)

4. Ideas for Alessi
products.
KS3 sketches.

5. This designing exercise could be extended into a
modelling exercise using paper, card, etc. It is not meant
to be something long, drawn out …… just something to
encourage pupils to think and experiment quickly and
be fun!
Other stimulus materials may be:
range of mobile phone holders
fabric designs e.g. William Morris
sandwiches, ice creams.