Working in groups, you will have a go at addressing the design brief in a quick-fire mind-mapping exercise. Remember, there is no such thing as a bad idea and any suggestions, even the bizarre ones, must go on the mind-map!

Together in your groups (three to four people per group), read through the design brief and start to discuss it.

The brief: 

In today’s design challenge, we’ll be looking at everyday objects we can find around our house and the function they were designed for. 

Each group has been given a simple drinking glass to use as the starting point of their challenge and we want you to use your design skills and the laser cutter to create an accessory that could be added to this glass to alter its function. 

Could you add a handle to it to turn it into a cup or some dividers to turn it into a pen holder? Maybe you could design an attachment to turn it into a juicer? The sky is the limit and only your imagination can hold you back.

Get some paper and start a mind-map as you discuss the brief.

Start with the word GLASS in a circle in the middle, then start adding strands branching out from the centre. Use a different colour pen for each new strand and write down any other words that come to mind alongside them. Try and group your ideas by theme and keep those strands connected or in the same colour.

Now that you have some of your ideas written down, start adding sketches to your mind map and write down any new ideas that come up with the drawings. 

Give everyone in the group a chance to add to the mind map until you’ve filled your page. Remember, don’t overthink it and write down anything that comes to mind.