From Alice: I liked the activity at the start, to get us thinking about the object. I really liked that you didn’t tell us why you were asking so that the replies we gave you were real and not influenced by you. I thought you spoke passionately and with real invested interest about the subject which made it more interesting and engaging to listen to you. I liked that you included some humour in your presentation. You made me think about aspects of bag design I had not considered before. The only suggestion I might make is that all the interactive part was at the start, then it was you talking – maybe you could try and build in some more interactive elements throughout?
My response: I think the idea of adding more interactive elements is a good idea and actually I wanted to include other elements into the session which, because of the limitations of time, I couldn’t. I wanted to talk more about details that students could add to a tote by showing examples and also show different constructions so they could see by changing the construction process it can create a different look. I also wanted them to look at different materials – stiffer and floppy materials and play around with sizes, not only of the bags but of the details too. To complete the session, I would have wanted to give the students a concept, colour and consumer board and get them to draw and design different totes to be presented to the class. This session would expand their design ideas by not disregarding designs because they are considered ‘basic’, practise their drawing skills, expand their ideas in terms of details, reinforce their knowledge of constructions and make sure they explore all aspects of design to fit a colour, concept and consumer.
From Naomi:Artefact presented on the table: A Tote Bag
Selina: What is this?…take your time to touch, think and write down what you think about this item.
My answer: Cotton tight-weave Tote Bag, with BBC JAM sessions print on the bag in blue. Is it a corporate promotion merchandise? Is it a momentum for you?…for a session you went to that was significant for you in some way?
Selina proceeded to unravel the (relatively simple) history of the Tote bag….from first development of an ‘ice bag’ in 1944 as the very first documented Tote.
She then brings Tote historical commentary up to date to recent high impact Tote bags seen on catwalk for Balenciage (pseudo IKEA bag) and Louis Vuitton (laundry bag).
Demonstrates how iconic the most basic bag is from utility to catwalk. Never to be underestimated. We ALL live with a Tote, or many totes – especially since plastic bag expulsion. She is right, of course….the Tote IS an artefact!
I enjoyed this session because although it was informal and relaxed in both tone of delivery and in subject matter. The artefact is familiar to ALL….Universal!
Selina offered a historical overview that included practical function, cultural function and the contemporary iconic role this item now carries and does it well. Made me think of slogan TShirts, and badge-brooches…..political voice….a practical bag that behaves as a democratic platform for decoration, group identity and/or political voice.
I like that I now know when the Tote was introduced and why. A good story.
Selina quote: ‘Never under estimate a Tote!’
Method of teaching delivery:Interactive, Deductive. Delivered a prepared Powerpoint presentation (or a short PDF), with images to illustrate the most historical and the most contemporary iconic Totes as mentioned. This was engaging, because the examples are familiar, and have been polemic. Makes me smile.
My response: In both Alice and Naomi’s feedback, a sense of humour/ light heartedness was mentioned. I am pleased about this as I think the students seem to learn/ enjoy classes more when there is some ‘fun’ involved. Students also feel freer to make mistakes and explore their ideas even if to them they don’t make sense. As Naomi is in a similar field I am glad she enjoyed the session and understood my aim with the session.