Presentation of Learning: Design Thinking Meets Scratch Bashing

Surely you’ve heard the maxim asserting that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. In the case of 12th grade iLEAD Exploration learner Elijah B., that statement couldn’t be more true. Whether he’s crafting intricate models from everyday objects, creating elaborate one-of-a-kind costumes, reimagining city governance, or debating complex societal issues, Elijah consistently demonstrates the core principles of empathy, ideation, prototyping, and problem-solving—all central to skills in design thinking.

From a young age, Elijah showed an instinct for creative problem-solving. Give him a box of random objects—scraps of wood, wire, fabric—and he would see not trash, but rather an opportunity. Through exploring how objects could serve people differently, Elijah began building small models of characters and abodes from Miyazaki movies, clay figures, large and imaginative rooms and worlds, and even furniture. Each creation was more than art; it was an answer to a question: “How might we repurpose what we already have to meet new needs?”

Although over the years Elijah has become a “scratch bashing” expert and has constructed thirty or so unique models of various types, there is one particular creation he has revisited and redesigned several times—especially as he has honed his construction techniques. In fact, the occasion of writing this article propelled him to update his vision once again. Part creature, part multi-dwelling residence, part battleship, the model was inspired by Elijah’s favorite art film Howl’s Moving Castle.

Constructed from various found and recycled objects, such as reused cardboard, coffee stir sticks, a plastic saxophone toy, 5000 nail rhinestones, and more. Elijah completed his model — a detailed and painstaking process lasting between three weeks and two months. How does Elijah make the hodgepodge of materials like plastic Easter eggs, and cardboard appear like steampunk metal? Through trial and error, he figured out he could apply black spray paint as primer and then dab with metallic brown paint and other colors of watered-down paint.

Elijah’s design process is natural and intuitive. He begins by deeply observing both the materials available and the challenges at hand. He then envisions multiple solutions, sketching possibilities before selecting a design to prototype. Through this cycle of testing and refining, Elijah hones his projects until they are not only functional but also imaginative and impactful.

Resources:

Design-Thinking Exercises

Stanford’s D-School

Howl’s Moving Castle