Goals

This unit empowers students to create, own, and monetize digital intellectual property (IP) using free design tools and the MetaWork platform. By the end of this unit, students will have designed their own digital assets, registered them as IP on the MetaWork platform, and prepared them for sale as products.

Required Tools

• Computer with internet access
• Canva account (free)
• GIMP software (free download)
• MetaWork account with wallet setup (from Unit 0)
• Web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge recommended)
• Optional: Graphics tablet or stylus for digital drawing

Course Outline

Comprehensive Unit 1 Overview

MetaManufacturing Unit 1: Design & IP Creation

This unit builds upon the blockchain fundamentals learned in Unit 0, focusing on creating valuable digital intellectual property that can generate passive income through the MetaWork platform. Students will learn to use free design tools, register their creations as blockchain-secured IP, and apply their designs to physical products for global sale.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Create professional-quality digital designs using free tools (Canva, GIMP)
2. Register original designs as IP assets on the MetaWork platform
3. Select optimal licensing models to maximize earnings
4. Apply designs to virtual products using the MetaWork Product Tool
5. Develop effective pricing strategies based on market research
6. Build a foundation for generating passive income through IP licensing

Unit Structure

This unit consists of six lessons that progressively build students’ capabilities:

Lesson 7: Design Thinking & Canva Basics

• Introduction to design thinking methodology
• Design principles for marketable graphics
• Creating professional logos using Canva

Lesson 8: GIMP for Advanced Editing

• Working with layers, selections, and transparency
• Advanced image editing techniques
• Preparing designs for commercial use

Lesson 9: From Design to IP

• Preparing designs for the MetaWork platform
• Creating effective metadata for discoverability
• Understanding the IP registration process

Lesson 10: IP Licensing Models

• Comparing different licensing approaches
• Setting optimal royalty rates
• Maximizing long-term revenue from designs

Lesson 11: MetaWork Product Tool

• Applying designs to virtual products
• Creating product variations and collections
• Optimizing product presentations

Lesson 12: Pricing Strategy

• Researching market prices
• Calculating costs and profit margins
• Implementing psychological pricing techniques

Connection to Unit 2

This unit prepares students for Unit 2 (Sales and Marketing), where they will learn to promote and sell the products they’ve created. The designs, IP assets, and products developed in Unit 1 will serve as the foundation for their marketing and sales strategies in the next unit.

By the end of Unit 1, students will have transformed from passive learners into active creators with ownership of valuable digital assets that can generate ongoing income through the MetaWork platform.