In the Foundation Diploma workshops, the turnaround time for most of the practical exercises is quite short. In most cases, we give our students only a couple of days to produce a detailed proof of concept. The final exercise in Designing Worlds is no exception to this. I give students a brief which requires them to interpret and visualise a short story. Over the course of two days each team will design key characters and an environment. Two days later, the students will have created characters in three dimensional form using wire, aluminium foil, sculpting clay and paint. I find that when people have a direct relationship to physical materials it offers them an opportunity for deep immersion in story. This can be a rare experience when most of us, most of the time are swimming in a soup of noise. Most students have never designed or created models before, so this is an extraordinary achievement.

A re-interpretation of the Queen from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" by Jessica Robertson

One of the dwarves from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" recast as a melancholic jockey by Rachel Argall

One of the dwarves from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" recast as a melancholic jockey by Rachel Argall

A steampunk-inspired robot by Phillip Hayes from an original story by Blythe Ashton

A steampunk-inspired robot by Phillip Hayes from an original story by Blythe Ashton

"The Inventor" by Blythe Ashton from an original story also by Blythe

"The Inventor" by Blythe Ashton from an original story also by Blythe

An underwater hybrid human from "Deep Blue Sea" by Peter Hobbs re-interpreted by Jordan Howes

An underwater hybrid human from "Deep Blue Sea" by Peter Hobbs re-interpreted by Jordan Howes

Catherine Gleeson, Designing Worlds Lecturer and Head Foundation Diploma

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