By Tyler Christiansen

Our Design and Engineering course for grade 8 and 9 students embarked on an exciting project that integrated artificial intelligence into the creation of custom laptop stickers.

Project Overview

The students were tasked with using AI design tools to create a graphic that incorporated three personal elements, reflecting their individual interests, aspirations, or hobbies. This not only allowed them to showcase their creativity but also provided an opportunity to explore the potential of AI in design and to practice effective prompt writing and iteration.

Conversion to SVG File

Once the design was finalized, the students converted their artwork into SVG file format. Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) allowed for precise representation of the designs, ensuring that they could be resized without loss of quality. This step provided the students with hands-on experience working with file formats commonly used in design and engineering. This process can also be used with our laser cutters in The Hive.

Vinyl Cutting and Weeding

The SVG files were then sent to our vinyl cutters, where the designs were translated into physical stickers. The designs were cut into the vinyl sheets which then needed to be ‘weeded’. Weeding is the process of removing the negative space from the vinyl sheet using tweezers or dentist-like picking tools. Once complete, the sticker is transferred to a backing sheet, and then applied to the target surface and pressed on with a squeegee.

Conclusion

This project introduced students to the practical applications of AI in the field of design and engineering. By leveraging AI tools to create personalized graphics and then transforming them into tangible products, the students gained valuable insights into the fusion of technology and creativity.