Author Archives: Christy Drackett

Industrial Design & Woodworking (Christy)

What better way to learn survival skills – Ala: Octavia Butler – than through hands-on woodworking projects! In this class, we will design and build functional garden beds just like they did in Lauren Olamina’s neighborhood. Students will practice basic shop safety while learning how to design, plan, and make a functional object intended for a specific purpose. Students will learn basic joinery, cutting, and finishing techniques, and will walk away from class confident in their ability to design, plan, and execute simple woodworking projects.

  • Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
  • Minimum students: 2
  • Sponsor: This class will be taught in collaboration with Liv, closely aligning with Science this term!

Graphic Design (Christy)

Learn how to generate more visual ideas than you ever thought possible! In Graphic Design this term, we will practice making informed choices about color, composition, and typography as we explore the design language of the Harlem Renaissance. Bold colors, angular shapes, high contrast, and plenty of movement define the art of this exciting era, leaving lots of room for exploration and visual play! Students will build skills in visual communication, iteration, presentation, and critique… but most importantly, we will have lots of fun!

About the instructor: This class will be in collaboration with Sam's winter term history class, Black History, where students will be steeped in the literature and music of the Harlem Renaissance. There will be overlap in assignments and materials for these classes!

  • Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
  • Minimum students: 3