New Digital Design Course Equips Students for the Future of Tech

A new digital design class is enhancing the way ICS students learn for the future.

The Middle Years Programme digital design course open to Grades 6, 7, and 8 encourages students to think creatively, apply design in real-world contexts, and take action to solve problems using digital tools.

Design Teacher Marc Francis joined ICS this year and is launching the class. With a professional background in architecture and civil engineering, Marc is excited to help students learn how to use the industry’s latest software and apply it to projects that are relevant outside the classroom.

“I'm really looking forward to getting students involved in digital design. Already I can see students excited about getting involved in coding and graphic design,” Marc said. “As students and people in general are spending much more of their time on computer be it for social or professional reasons, this is an area of education that is of growing importance, and I feel really passionately that we should be equipping students with the skills and knowledge for them to thrive in the world of tomorrow.”

The lessons taught in digital design complement the Middle School’s product design course and strengthens alignment with the high school and Diploma Programme design classes.

It also gives students the opportunity to apply their design learning in other subject areas and work with students in different grade levels in a simulated business environment with a real client.

In the digital design class, students will have access to the latest technologies, which empower them to digitally design products, code different machines and programs, and develop creative pieces such as animation. As seen in the photos, students are currently learning to code a pedometer (step counter) and will use it in their physical education classes. Some examples of upcoming units for the students include:

• Learning to use the Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design
• Digitally design and then produce a working music speaker
• Create and develop branding (logos, animations, etc) for a Youtube channel
• Partner with Grade 1 art students to turn monster-themed artwork into a website & nightlight manufactured with the laser cutter; and
• Various coding projects

Stay tuned to the ICS website for more stories about the innovative and creative projects taking place in digital design.