For the teacher

The purpose of this task is to remind students of the significance of the research phase that kicks off the product design phase. Inspiration and ideas are sought by learning more about the details, cuts, decorations, shape and other aspects of 18th century clothing, for example. The ideas are then applied to the circular economy product, clothing range or collection being made. 

The inspiration and brainstorming phase

1. Choose a phenomenon, event or problem that you have recently been interested in.
   
   Sources of inspiration: movies, art and culture, street events, hot social topics, international phenomena and events, nature and animals, etc.
    
2.  Give your phenomenon, event or problem a NAME.
   
   Example: You saw a documentary on life in the 18th century. You became interested in what normal people did for a living and how they ate and dressed. You decide on the name ‘A rewind back to the 18th century’. You research the events of the 18th century using different sources. Visit a museum to learn more about the 18th century. Take notes, draw sketches and consider materials, shapes and colours. 
    
3. Gather facts and visual material in either electronic format or a physical folder or notebook.Additionally, gather materials that you can fiddle with about the chosen phenomenon or object of interest: newspaper clippings, different pieces of material, hard and soft surfaces, shapes, such as a round rock – in other words, anything and everything that feels inspiring.Keep them in a box or glue them into a sketch pad. 
    
4. Start the design process by utilising a design method that is suitable for you: sketch, play with shapes or combine several methods.