New
New
Lesson 4 of 9
  • Year 10

3D Design: found materials

I can create a sculpture using found materials that reflect a theme or concept.

Lesson 4 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

3D Design: found materials

I can create a sculpture using found materials that reflect a theme or concept.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Found materials let artists explore new forms, textures and ideas not possible with traditional sculpture.
  2. Using found objects supports recycling, sustainability and an eco-friendly approach to making art.
  3. Found materials bring history and meaning, letting artists comment on culture, history, or social issues.

Keywords

  • Assemblage - a sculpture made by combining different found objects

  • Found materials - materials that have not been bought or created for the purpose of making art, but have been collected from more random sources

  • Collect - to gather and group objects that link to an idea or theme

Common misconception

Found materials are just junk and don’t belong in real artwork.

Found materials bring unique textures and personal or cultural meaning to a sculpture.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: 3D Design: found materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask pupils to bring in a few found objects linked to a theme (e.g. memory, home, personal choice). Include one “surprise” object that doesn’t fit within the theme. This helps explore contrast, create unexpected links and develop understanding of how meaning shifts when objects are curated.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Found materials collected by pupils, glue, tape, glue gun, wire, fabrics, card, papers, string, paints, printed images

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the 3D shape of an object called?

its dimensions
its structure
Correct answer: its form
its surface

Q2.
What is a container - something which holds or carries things - often called?

Correct Answer: a vessel, vessel, vessels

Q3.
A is how a form is built and supported so it can exist.

Correct Answer: structure, armature

Q4.
What does papier-mâché layer over a mould or base?

card and glue
cling film and glue
Correct answer: paper and glue
cork and glue

Q5.
Which artist created the 2012 artwork 'Skin’: a delicate paper vessel that emphasises texture, flow and repetition?

Chris Bramble
Correct answer: Bianca Severijns
Cecilia Levy
Studio Lenca

Q6.
What should you cover your structure with before covering in papier-mâché?

Correct Answer: cling film, film

Additional material

Download additional material