Basic 9 · Creative Arts and Design · Creativity

The Design Process, Folding and Creating Music

In this topic you will demonstrate understanding of the design process, learn about artists who use folding and design your own musical work that reflects different times and cultures.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

Explain the stages of the design process
Recognise artists who use folding techniques
Compose a short musical work on a topical issue

What you already know

Creativity and innovation

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Lesson 1

Strand: Design
Sub-strand: Creativity
Indicator: B9.1.3.1.2 – Demonstrate understanding of the design process in relation to creativity and innovations in design

Introduction

Great products rarely appear all at once. They develop through a series of careful steps.

1. Stages of the Design Process

Stages of the design process

Stage	Activity	Question to ask
identify	find the problem	What is the need?
research	gather information	What exists already?
ideate	sketch many ideas	What could work?
select	choose the best idea	Which idea suits the need?
prototype	make a model	Can it be built?
test	try it out	Does it work?
improve	make changes	How can it be better?
present	share the result	Who will use it?

2. The Design Brief

A design brief is a short statement describing what needs to be designed. It covers the problem, the user, the requirements and any limits. For example: "Design a low-cost school bag for Basic 3 pupils which is waterproof, uses local fabric and costs under GH₵50." Limits are called constraints, and they often inspire creativity. A clear brief keeps the designer focused.

3. Why the Process Matters

The design process is not a straight line. It is a cycle: testing often sends you back to an earlier stage. This process reduces waste, as problems are found before a product is mass-produced. It also helps a team to work together, and it keeps a record of your decisions. Innovators in every field, from architecture to software, work in this way.

A designer sketching ideas on paper

Figure 1: Sketching ideas Write a design brief for a school problem.

4. Thinking Ahead

Designers must consider cost, safety, materials, appearance and how long something will last. They should also think of the product's end of life. Can it be repaired? Can it be recycled? Thinking ahead now can prevent waste later.

New words

design brief: A statement of a design task.
constraint: A limit on a design.
ideate: To produce many ideas.
iterate: To repeat and improve.

Summary

The design process moves from a need to a tested solution.
A design brief sets the problem and constraints.
Design is a cycle of testing and improving.

Class activity: Write a Brief

Choose a school problem.
Write a design brief with users and constraints.
Exchange and improve briefs.

You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. The first stage of the design process is to…
- A. identify the problem
- B. sell the product
- C. paint it
- D. test it
Show answer
Answer: identify the problemStart.
2. A limit on a design is a…
- A. constraint
- B. brief
- C. prototype
- D. user
Show answer
Answer: constraintLimits.
3. The design process can go back to earlier stages.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCycle.
4. A statement describing a design task is a design ______.
Show answer
Answer: briefPlanning.
5. State four stages of the design process.
Show answer
Answer: Identify, research, prototype and test.Any four.
6. How does the design process reduce waste?
Show answer
Answer: Problems are found in testing before products are made in large numbers.Value.

Lesson 2

Strand: Visual Arts
Sub-strand: Innovation and the Design Process
Indicator: B9.2.1.1.3 – Apply artistic techniques in folding by using available media to make creative artworks

Introduction

Fold a sheet of paper in half, and it stands up by itself. From this simple act, artists have created astonishing forms.

1. Origami and Paper Art

Origami developed in Japan, and the master Akira Yoshizawa is honoured for raising it into an art form. He created thousands of models, and he developed a method called wet-folding, which gives paper softer, sculpted shapes. His system of diagrams helped people around the world to learn origami. Modern artists and mathematicians have since shown that a single sheet can be folded into extremely complex forms.

2. Folding in Fashion and Sculpture

Folding across the arts

Artist or field	Use of folding
Akira Yoshizawa	origami models
Issey Miyake	pleated fashion
El Anatsui	folded, crumpled metal sheets
engineers	foldable solar panels in space
packaging designers	boxes and cartons

Japanese designer Issey Miyake became known for permanently pleated garments, which spring back into shape. El Anatsui's metal hangings are folded and draped differently each time they are displayed, so the same work never looks identical. Engineers use folding patterns to pack large solar panels into small spaces on satellites.

A folded origami paper crane

Figure 2: Origami crane Fold a paper model and describe each step.

3. Basic Folds

Basic folds

Fold	How it looks
valley fold	folded towards you, forming a V
mountain fold	folded away from you, forming a peak
pleat	a valley and mountain fold side by side
reverse fold	a tip pushed inside

4. Folding in Ghanaian Life

Folding is also common in everyday Ghanaian life. Traditional cloths are folded and worn in specific ways. Kente and funerary cloths are wrapped and draped with skill, and a folded headscarf (duku) can have many shapes and meanings. Paper is folded into simple cups, boats and hats. Look for further examples in your community.

New words

pleat: A narrow fold in material.
wet-folding: Folding damp paper for soft forms.
valley fold: A fold that forms a V.
mountain fold: A fold that forms a peak.

Summary

Yoshizawa raised origami into a major art form.
Folding is used in fashion, sculpture and engineering.
Valley and mountain folds are the basic moves.

Class activity: Fold a Form

Practise four basic folds.
Fold a simple model.
Paste your steps in your portfolio.

You need: Brown paper, Raffia strips, Scissors

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Origami developed in…
- A. Japan
- B. Ghana
- C. Kenya
- D. Brazil
Show answer
Answer: JapanOrigin.
2. Issey Miyake is known for…
- A. pleated fashion
- B. gold weights
- C. kente looms
- D. highlife
Show answer
Answer: pleated fashionFashion.
3. Folding is used in engineering.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSolar panels.
4. A fold that forms a peak is a ______ fold.
Show answer
Answer: mountainBasic fold.
5. Name two artists who use folding.
Show answer
Answer: Akira Yoshizawa and El Anatsui.Any two.
6. Why do El Anatsui's works look different in each display?
Show answer
Answer: The metal hangings are flexible and are folded and draped differently each time.Form.

Lesson 3

Strand: Performing Arts (Music)
Sub-strand: Creative and Aesthetic Expression
Indicator: B9.2.2.2.4 – Design and produce own musical work that reflects a range of different times and cultures that promote and sensitize the public on emerging topical issues

Introduction

Songs can carry messages further than speeches. Your own composition can speak to the people around you.

1. Starting to Compose

To compose means to create new music. Start with a topic, then write a few lines of words. Decide on a mood: is it hopeful, sad or energetic? Clap out the rhythm of your words to find a beat. Make up a melody, and write it in tonic solfa or staff notation. Keep your melody simple, and repeat a catchy chorus so that listeners will remember it.

2. Styles from Different Times and Cultures

Musical styles

Style	Origin	Feature
highlife	Ghana	guitars, horns, dance rhythms
kpanlogo	Ga	drums and call and response
agbadza	Ewe	energetic drumming
hiplife	Ghana	rap with highlife
hymn	church	four-part harmony
afrobeats	West Africa	modern dance rhythms

3. Song Structure

Parts of a song

Part	Purpose
introduction	sets the mood
verse	tells the story, words change
chorus	repeats the main message
bridge	adds contrast
ending	brings the song to a close

A Ghanaian highlife band performing

Figure 3: Highlife band Write a chorus on a topical issue.

4. Topical Issues in Music

Ghanaian musicians have often addressed public issues. E.T. Mensah, called the king of highlife, wrote songs celebrating independence. Rocky Dawuni is known for songs on the environment and social justice. Choose an issue such as sanitation, peace or girls' education, and write about it in your own voice. Respect others' work, and if you borrow a melody from someone else, say so.

New words

compose: To create new music.
chorus: The repeated part of a song.
verse: The part of a song with changing words.
call and response: A leader sings and a group answers.

Summary

Composing begins with a topic, a mood and a rhythm.
Songs may draw from highlife, kpanlogo and other styles.
Music can speak on topical issues.

Class activity: Issue Song

Choose a topical issue.
Write a verse and a chorus.
Perform it to the class.

You need: Atumpan drum, Wooden clappers, Printed music notation cards

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

1. Highlife comes from…
- A. Ghana
- B. Japan
- C. Brazil
- D. Russia
Show answer
Answer: GhanaOrigin.
2. The repeated part of a song is the…
- A. chorus
- B. verse
- C. bridge
- D. ending
Show answer
Answer: chorusRepeat.
3. Kpanlogo is a Ga style.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueGa.
4. To create new music is to ______.
Show answer
Answer: composeMusic.
5. Name four parts of a song.
Show answer
Answer: Introduction, verse, chorus and bridge.Any four.
6. How can a song help a community?
Show answer
Answer: It can spread a message on issues such as sanitation in a memorable way.Purpose.

Homework

Finish your song and write out the words and solfa.