Summary

Let’s pretend we are in 2088.

We will design wearable structures that let humans thrive in an imaginary desert future.

Using folding, bending, layering, and slotting techniques, we will create wearable structures that respond to heat and dust — while also looking cool!

We will also think about ergonomics (how something fits and moves with our bodies) and aesthetics (how something looks and feels visually).

Ergonomics, introducing problem solving alongside aesthetics (fashion)
Warm up
- Colored paper or plain craft paper
  (alternately, print rejects from a print shop, newspaper etc)
- A baseboard or paper to work on
Main activity
- Added pages to their notebooks + pens, pencils for sketching
- Box Cardboard
- Craft paper
- Cardboard cut into 3” strips, elastic and staplers
- Aluminum foil (1 roll)
- leftover kebab sticks / palm fronds from ‘Material play’ workshop (ideally something bendy like bamboo / ekel - but I’m not sure what the Sharjah equivalent is… wire?)
- Recycled fabric, sheer textiles / material and other recyclables ‘lata 'pata’
- scissors, glue, hot glue gun, scissors, string, wire, tape
- (optional) A mirror if possible, alternately turn on screen camera so kids can see their outfits
- (optional) Are there mannequins leftover from SAT02? just curious

Warm up: 5 minute sculptures

Gather a base board, colored paper, glue & tape
Set a timer for 5 minutes
Create a 5 minute sculpture that explores one or more of the following paper construction methods
- Folding: Create accordion structures that expand and contract.
- Bending: Curve your materials to match the natural shape of the body.
- Layering: Stack materials to create shade, depth, or filters.
- Slotting: Cut slits and slide pieces together to lock them in place without using glue.

Main Activity:

Design challenge:

Design a wearable device that helps adapt to one of these future desert climate conditions:

1. The Heat-Shield: Reflects the extreme heat away from the body.

2. The Dust-Buster: Seals and protects eyes, face, or joints from choking dust.

Use folding, bending, layering, and slotting techniques to create a wearable structure that responds to both movement and climate.

Think about ergonomics (how it fits and moves with the body) and aesthetics (how it looks and feels visually).

Step 1: Select & sketch: (10-15 min)

Heat or dust? Which body part will you design for? Head / arm / waist / shoulder / legs / feet? full body?

Sketch your idea on your sketchbook

Step 2: Start building! (30 min)

You will be paired with one partner to test each other’s designs by wearing and moving in them

Start building your wearable design

Step 3: Test by trying on with your partner (10 min)

First quick body test with your partner

BREAK (15 min)

Step 4: Repeat (30-40 min)

Step 5: Final adjustments

Tip:

Use 3-4” cardboard strips, staplers and elastic to create a base ‘belt’ or ‘headband’ on top of which children can design their gear - this way it’ll be removable without getting destroyed.