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Week 2

Assignments

Maker Mindset Display Project

Objective

To design and create a “Maker Mindset” visual display for the classroom, showcasing creativity, design, and hands-on making using digital fabrication tools.

Progress

1. Design Phase (Inkscape)

  • Opened Inkscape and created a new document.
  • Designed the “Maker Mindset” graphic with key words such as creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, ideation, invention, and innovation.
  • Experimented with fonts, colours, and layout, and arranged the words in an engaging composition (e.g., circular or word-cloud style).
  • Adjusted the size and ensured it fit within the cutter’s working area.

Image: Designing in Inkscape

2. Printing Phase (Inkjet Printer)

  • Printed the final design using an inkjet printer on printable sticker paper.
  • Ensured the colours were vivid and text remained sharp after printing.
  • Allowed the print to dry fully before handling to avoid smudges.

Image: Inkjet Printing Process

3. Cutting Phase (Siser Juliet Cutter)

  • Imported the design file (SVG format) into the Juliet cutting software.
  • Set appropriate cutting parameters for the chosen material.
  • Loaded the printed sheet into the Siser Juliet and performed a test cut before final cutting.
  • The cutter precisely followed the outlines of the words and shapes.

Image: Siser Juliet Cutting

4. Weeding Phase

  • Removed (weeded) the excess vinyl carefully using a hook tool.
  • Ensured all small details within letters (like ‘e’, ‘a’, ‘o’) remained intact.
  • Prepared the design for transfer by applying transfer tape.

Image: Weeding the Design

5. Display Phase

  • Transferred the completed vinyl design onto a classroom wall, board, or poster backing.
  • Smoothed out any air bubbles for a neat finish.
  • Displayed the final product prominently as a visual reminder of the Maker Mindset for students.

Image: Classroom Display
Final Display

Reflection

The process integrated digital design, fabrication, and manual skills.
Students (and teacher) experienced the maker workflow — from digital concept to physical creation.
It reinforced the values of precision, patience, and pride in craftsmanship, aligning with the Maker Mindset itself.

Learning Points

  • Understood the end-to-end process of making — from digital design to physical creation.
  • Developed creativity and problem-solving skills through design exploration.
  • Practised attention to detail during cutting and weeding.
  • Strengthened collaboration and communication when sharing ideas and helping one another.
  • Built confidence and ownership in creating something tangible and meaningful.
  • Experienced the essence of the Maker Mindset — being curious, resilient, and resourceful.

Tools Used

  • Inkscape – for digital design and layout
  • Siser Juliet Cutter – for precise vinyl cutting
  • Juliet Cutting Software – for preparing and sending cut files
  • Inkjet Printer – for colour printing of design
  • Vinyl Sheets / Heat Transfer Material – for creating the final display
  • Weeding Tools & Transfer Tape – for finishing and applying the design
  • Display Surface (wall or board) – for classroom presentation

Opportunities to Use This Technology in the Classroom

We can use tools like Inkscape, the inkjet printer, and the Siser Juliet cutter to make learning more fun and hands-on. Students can design their own labels, posters, and visuals for subjects like Science or Math. For example, they can make plant labels, word clouds, or geometric patterns.

By creating their own designs, students learn to think creatively and solve problems. They also get to see how digital ideas can become real objects. Working together in small groups helps them learn teamwork and communication skills.

This technology can also make the classroom more colourful and meaningful. Students can design and decorate their learning space with positive words and messages about the Maker Mindset.

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How It Supports Teaching and Learning

Using this technology makes lessons more engaging and interactive. Students are more involved because they design, make, and see their ideas come to life. It helps them build confidence, patience, and pride in their work.

Through these projects, students practise being curious, creative, and resilient — just like real makers. It also helps teachers connect lessons to real-world skills and inspire students to enjoy learning through making.

⸻ Educational Activity: “Design Your Own Inspirational Quote Sticker” (e.g. Don’t Give Up)

Design Thinking Process

Overview Students will design and create an inspirational quote sticker using Inkscape and a vinyl cutter (e.g., Siser Juliet). This activity helps students combine creativity, design skills, and hands-on making while learning about the design process.

⸻ 1. Ask

Students begin by identifying the purpose of the project — to create a sticker that reminds himself or herself of maker mindset. This sticker can be pasted on water bottle or pencil case. They are guided to ask questions such as: • Why do you want to create this sticker? • What message do I want to remind myself and how does this benefits him or her? • What colours, fonts, or styles best express the mood of the quote?

At this stage, the teacher discusses examples of effective stickers and connects the task to the Maker Mindset values (e.g., creativity, perseverance, curiosity).

⸻ 2. Imagine

Students brainstorm and explore different ideas for their stickers. They may search for motivational quotes, sketch layouts, and experiment with different word arrangements and colour combinations. The teacher encourages them to imagine how their design will look on vinyl and how it will fit into the space.

⸻ 3. Plan

Students start planning their digital design using Inkscape. They choose the font, size, and layout, making sure the design fits within the vinyl cutter’s cutting area. They plan the colours they will print or cut and prepare the file for cutting (e.g., saving it as an SVG file). The teacher checks their files for correct line thickness, alignment, and sizing before moving on.

⸻ As my students are from a primary school, it will be quite challenging for them to use the vinyl cutter. From this stage onwards, I feel more comfortable for me to use the cutter instead of allowing the pupils to do so.

  1. Create

Students import their final design into the Juliet cutting software and the teacher to use the vinyl cutter to cut out the text and shapes for the pupils. They then weed the excess vinyl carefully and apply transfer tape to move the design to a poster board or wall. This stage allows them to practise precision, patience, and problem-solving as they handle the materials.

⸻ 5. Test / Improve

Students check the final product for alignment, clarity, and neatness. They reflect on what worked well and what could be improved in future projects (for example, choosing a bolder font or adjusting cut pressure).

⸻ 6. Share

Finally, students present their stickers. They take turns sharing their design choices and explaining how their quote relates to the Maker Mindset. This sharing stage reinforces communication, pride in their work, and the idea that design is a process of learning and growth.

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Educational Value This activity encourages creativity, communication, and critical thinking. It integrates digital design, art, and technology in a meaningful way, while also building fine motor skills and attention to detail. Students experience the complete design process — from idea to creation — and see how technology can be used to express positive messages and beautify their space with pride.

Introduction to Vector Graphics Using Inkscape, I created vector graphics that included text and line drawings suitable for laser cutting or vinyl cutting. Since images and photos are made up of pixels, they needed to be converted into vector graphics to ensure clean and precise cutting. For example, the bulb and gears used in my Maker Mindset design were originally image files. I used Inkscape’s “Trace Bitmap” or “Vectorize” tool to convert them into vector paths. This allowed me to edit and scale the shapes easily without losing quality, ensuring smooth outlines for accurate cutting and a professional finish in the final product.

For my Maker Mindset project, I explored different materials that can be used with the vinyl cutter to suit various design purposes. Common materials include adhesive vinyl, which is ideal for creating stickers, wall decals, and labels, and heat transfer vinyl (HTV), which is used for decorating fabrics such as t-shirts and pouches with the help of a heat press.

Design my name, Priscilla on Juliet Cutting software and send to the printer to be printed on vinyl material

Weeding

Transferring onto my laptop