Found objects

Since 2009, the Seine-Saint-Denis County Council has been backing “la Culture et l’Art au Collège (CAC)”. This project is based to a large extent on the presence in class for several weeks (40h) of an artist or scientist whose mission is to engage the students in a process of research and creation. 

Tutors: Damien Arlettaz, Amandine Chhor, Goliath Dyèvre, Grégory Lacoua, Madeleine Montaigne, Flavie Papin, Quentin Vaulot/ designers

Project manager: Mathieu Marion

Objectives :
One day perhaps we will live in a virtual world. But for the time being, materials are an important part of our environment, which is full of objects, instruments and tools. Why and how do we invent an object to which we sometimes entrust our lives?  And how do we imagine how it can be used?

Workshops :
Asked to work on "fictitious object", the tutors invented a series of activities related to their design work. They then worked together to produce it.

Discovery
What is a designer? How do designers work? What tools do they use? What approaches do they take? The designers developed a subjective view of their work.

Specifications
The pupils suggested ideas for fictitious objects which had to meet several parameters: needs, uses, manufacture and aesthetics. They had to assess the possibilities and technical constraints of the object and invent possible scenarios and ways of getting round obstacles.

Production
They worked from technical and assembly plans to build a prototype and finalise the object.

Outcome:
The pupils showed their projects in their schools in a day-long session followed by a discussion. Then an exhibition of their work was held at the Espace Viénot (École nationale supérieure de la création industrielle) from 23 to 28 May 2011. Over 600 visitors came to see the objects made by the pupils as part of this project. 

Acknowledgements: École Nationale Supérieur de la Création Industrielle (ENSCI-Les ateliers), Alain Cadix, director of ENSCI workshops, Margot Casimir, project coordinator for "Design and Diversity" project at ENSCI workshops, Sylvie Lavaud, head of education and post-graduate coordinator at ENSCI workshops.

Outings (selection):
- CITÉ DES SCIENCES ET DE L’INDUSTRIE / GUIDED TOUR OF "MY FIRST EARTH" EXHIBITION.
- ÉCOLE NATIONALE SUPÉRIEURE DE LA CRÉATION INDUSTRIELLE / VISIT TO THE SCHOOL'S WORKSHOPS AND THE MATERIALS LIBRARY.
- DESIGN CENTRE, PARIS/ VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION "MEET MY PROJECT".
- MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS / VISIT TO THE 20TH CENTURY COLLECTION ON THE THEME OF "FUNCTION AND USE OF AN OBJECT".
- JARDIN DU PALAIS-ROYAL / VISIT TO THE "TALKIE WALKIE" EXHIBITION AS PART OF DESIGNER'S DAY.

Participating schools: 
- Class (6e) Collège Jacques Jorissen, Drancy.
- Class (6e) Collège La Courtille, Saint-Denis
- Class (6e) Collège Lucie Aubrac, Villetaneuse.
- Class(5e) SEGPA Collège Pierre Sémard, Drancy.
- Class(5e) SEGPA Collège Théodore Monod, Gagny

Photo: COLOMBE CLIER
Design: VAULOT DYEVRE