Creative workshops
Creative workshop 1:
The children created mind maps of the 3 potential themes; underwater, jungle and space and wrote down ideas for what objects could be made for each theme. The mind map with the most ideas was the chosen theme for the sensory room, which was 'underwater'.
The children then drew underwater themed objects that they would like to see in the room and discussed ideas with each other. (see images in gallery)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 2 (Libby helping student) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 2 (students working) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 2 (student working) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 2 (Libby helping student) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Creative workshop 2:
I asked the children to choose different materials that they would like their sensory objects to be made in. Prior to this, in an online survey I asked the children's parents/guardians if the children were sensitive to certain colours, materials or sounds . To which I learned that participant 1 was sensitive to the colour purple and participant 8 was sensitive to the sound of felt fabric. Therefore I gave alternative materials those children. The survey allowed me to become aware of each child's sensory needs which resulted in me eliminating possible discomfort for the child.
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 3 (Libby helping student) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 3 (students working) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 3 (student working) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Creative workshop 3 (Libby helping student) Photo: Crosby High School camera (permission given)
Creative workshop 3:
I asked the children to create mini maquettes of their designs using air-drying clay. The children were given small, cardboard boxes to resemble the sensory room and were prompted to display their objects within the boxes. This would give me a real representation of how they would like their objects to be displayed in the allocated room at Crosby High School.
Experimentation
Robinson, L. (2023) Octopus being created on rug frame [image] Photo: Libby Robinson
Experimentation:
Throughout this study I've had to conduct various experimentations as some of the shapes of the objects that children had chosen were new to me. For the octopus sculpture I created a prototype from scrap fabric, as this allowed me to adjust my pattern if needed.
As for the silicone fidget toys, creating specific shapes is unfamiliar to me therefore this process included multiple trials and errors e.g. layering different colours of silicone and adding higher walls to the perimeter to reduce leaking.
Some of the drawings were so specific, e.g. participant 2 asked for an octopus rug with a unique shape and colours, therefore I decided to project the image straight onto the rug fabric, this ensures the end result is true to the design and the co-design approach is apparent.
Feedback sessions
Robinson, L. (2023) Feedback session 1 (student with sensory object) Photo: Libby Robinson (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Feedback session 1 (student with sensory object) Photo: Libby Robinson (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Feedback session 1 (student with sensory object prototype) Photo: Libby Robinson (permission given)
Robinson, L. (2023) Feedback session 1 (student with sensory object) Photo: Libby Robinson (permission given)
Feedback session 1:
I invited the children to LJMU where I showed them the progress I had made on making their designs. This gave the children the opportunity to give me feedback however the children were so happy with what had been made and didn't want to make alterations.
The children also completed the first half of the feedback questionnaire were they had the chance to say what creative workshop they enjoyed the most etc.