About this day
For A-level, IB, BTEC Level 3, T Level and keen GCSE Design & Technology students
Get ready for an inspiring day of creativity and innovation at Design and Technology in Action! In five informative and interactive sessions, students will dive into the future of design – exploring sustainable materials, human-centred innovation, creative inspiration, and the latest in digital tools such as CAD, CNC and 3D printing.
Our incredible speakers – leading designers and industry experts – will take students behind the scenes of the design world, sharing insights and real-world applications that bring Design and Technology to life.
With live demonstrations, interactive discussions, and plenty of audience participation, this is an experience your students won’t forget!
Host: Pascal Anson (Designer, artist and founder)
“Inspiring and thought-provoking.”
– Tonbridge Grammar School –
Programme & speakers
The Modelmaker's Toolkit: 3D Printing, CAD and CNC Foster + Partners, Architectural and design practice
Gregor Anderson (3D Printing) and Ed Bartlett (CAD, CNC, flatbed printing) explore how digital fabrication has transformed architectural modelmaking. Drawing on their extensive experience, they examine how technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machining and CAD have expanded – rather than replaced – the modelmaker’s toolkit, and how digital innovation and traditional craftsmanship work together to shape contemporary practice.
About Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners is a dynamic, multidisciplinary practice driven by innovation and collaboration. Their work is underpinned by a sustainable approach to design and engineering.
The death of consumerism and how we design more sustainable products Mark Miodownik, University College London
Currently almost all current products and materials in our homes and cities are designed to be disposable to drive consumption. This is causing huge pollution and climate change. To address these problems, we need to redesign practically everything to last longer. In this talk I discuss how we can do this.
About Professor Mark Miodownik
Mark is a materials scientist, engineer, broadcaster, and writer, serving as Professor of Materials & Society at UCL and Director of the Institute of Making. His book Stuff Matters won the Royal Society Winton Prize.
From Brief to Real Life Sofia Matheou, 3D Designer, Isabel + Helen Studio
Sofia will take us through her journey from Art Foundation and university to becoming a working designer in London. Through projects, real client briefs and experiences from her first few years in the industry, she’ll explore what changes when you leave education and the process of finding your own way as a young designer.
About Sofia Matheou
Sofia Matheou is a 3D designer working across installation, spatial, set and furniture design. Her approach is hands-on and research-driven, shaped by curiosity and play.
How to start designing and ways to begin thinking Pascal Anson, Pascal Anson Studio
I’m often asked where ideas come from. Pascal Anson will discuss where creativity comes from, using examples from conversations with designers, artists and makers; useful tools for young designers will be disclosed whether it’s practical advice or what kind of headspace you need to be in to start working on a project.
About Pascal Anson
Pascal Anson is a designer and artist. He is a tutor at the Royal College of Art and also runs creative workshops internationally.
Ideas are easy… Innovation is hard Ben Diamant, Inventor of Consumer Products
How do you invent a new product for consumers? Where do great ideas come from? And how have some of greatest inventors (that you’ve never heard of); been able to produce the everyday objects in your home? From complex appliances to the simple tin opener, learn how innovation changes lives, and how you too, can make the world a better place.
About Ben Diamant
Ben is an inventor of consumer products; from bikes to bednets. He leads innovation projects and design teams and is the host of Why the Fork? a top 10% podcast on the design of everyday objects.