Wabi-Sabi Bots: Embracing Imperfection Through Design

Term Break Camp

Date:Feb 16 to Feb 20
Time: 1:00-4 pm
Ages: 8-13
Limit: 10 Students

Cost: £300

In this playful, Tokyo Tech-inspired course, students dive into the art of designing and fabricating whimsical robot characters that are intentionally imperfect—machines that wobble, glitch, or fall just short of their intended purpose. Guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi—the beauty of imperfection—students transform “failure” of a non-working robot into a tool for discovery, resilience, and creative engineering.

From sketch to 3D-printed prototype, learners journey through the entire design process, experimenting with character design, Japanese influence and 3D software design. Along the way, they explore the rich intersection of Japanese culture, design aesthetics, and storytelling traditions, infusing their robots with narrative meaning and emotional depth.

This project-based experience invites students to reflect, revise, and embrace the unexpected, cultivating a mindset where creativity and iteration are valued over perfection. Through critique, collaboration, and hands-on making, they learn how to tell  powerful stories the most memorable creations.