Design

Design

Most of what we see in the world which is man-made is there by design, whether that be good or bad is a matter of opinion, but it is a crucial aspect of this subject that both the creative and logistical sides of the topic are discussed in full. Undertaking trips is a great way to generate debate, inspire students creatively and also make them think about implications of things such as location, weather, longevity, colour, shape, materials, texture interaction with the surrounding environment, design history, fashion and fads.

Trips for design are very often either practical workshops or visits to museums, buildings or venues which have exhibits or themselves designed to inspire students to think creatively or logistically. Great examples include a trip to the Victoria and Albert museum in London, to view the Eden Project in Cornwall or the Sage arena in Gateshead from a design perspective.

Often trips will lead to major follow-up projects in the classroom which will include both practical and theoretical session, and other topics such as Physics or Technology can be involved. 

Due to the nature of the practical sessions which often take place on design-based trips, the implications for safety are very important and increased attention should be paid to the suitability fo the activities, the tools being used and also ensuring the students are well-briefed, wear any protective equipment or clothing at all times and behave themselves.

Or you could be inspired by visiting design icons such as the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery or even the studios of Aardman Animations.

Main organisations:

Design and Technology Association (DATA)

National Society for Education in Art and Design

Design Council

British Institute of Interior Design

Inclusion: NASEN

 

For a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below:

Robert Smail's Printing Works

Venue Type: 
Factory Visits & Industry
Overall Rating: 
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Get your hands inky at this living museum of a thriving printing firm in the Borders, whose premises were more or less unchanged for over a century.

Try your hand at being a printer's apprentice to learn the almost forgotten art of letterpress printing and typesetting.

Schools are welcomed and visits are very much tailored to suit the needs and requirements of the school.

The print works offers scope on a variety of topics and in the past we have successfully run drama, drawing and of course printing workshops.

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Lawrence House

Beautiful Georgian town house
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Built in 1753, Lawrence House is leased to Launceston Town Council and used as a local museum and civic centre.

The museum is spread over three floors with exhibits that focus predominantly on local history including Launceston's intriguing association with Australia.

Find out about Philip Gidley King, who sailed on the HMS Sirius, a ship that accompanied the first fleet of convicts sent to Australia.

There's a toy room where children can play, as well as look, and a Victorian kitchen that features an original range and mangle.

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Dunster Castle

An ancient castle and comfortable country home with dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens
Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, a castle has existed here since at least Norman times, with an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower giving a reminder of its turbulent history.

The castle that you see today became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years.

The castle boasts spectacular views toward the Bristol channel, the Quantock hills and up to the moors of Exmoor.

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Compton Verney

Venue Type: 
Art Gallery
Overall Rating: 
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Compton Verney House is an 18th-century country mansion at Compton Verney near Kineton (between Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury) which has been converted into the Compton Verney Art Gallery. 

Visitors of all ages are warmly welcomed to Warwickshire’s award-winning art gallery, housed in a Grade I listed mansion and surrounded by 120 acres of stunning 'Capability' Brown parkland.

Introduction to our collections

Compton Verney is home to six diverse collections of nationally and internationally significant art from around the world:

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Erddig

Atmospheric house, featuring 485-hectare (1,200-acre) country park and formal walled garden
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Widely acclaimed as one of Britain's finest historic houses, Erddig is a fascinating yet unpretentious early 18th-century country house reflecting the upstairs downstairs life of a gentry family over 250 years.

The extensive downstairs area contains Erddig's unique collection of servants' portraits, while the upstairs rooms are an amazing treasure trove of fine furniture, textiles and wallpapers.

Outside, an impressive range of outbuildings includes stables, smithy, joiners' shop and sawmill.

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Emma Bridgewater Factory

Venue Type: 
Factory Visits & Industry
Overall Rating: 
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Join us in the historic Potteries: take a tour of our atmospheric Victorian factory, see our beautiful wares being made, then try your hand at decorating your own pot in our studio. Relax in the cafe, wander in the walled garden, then shop for factory seconds or delightful gifts.

Factory Tours

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Orange Tree Theatre

Venue Type: 
Theatres, Music and Performing Arts Venues
Overall Rating: 
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The Orange Tree Theatre is a 172-seat theatre which was built specifically as a theatre in the round. It is housed within a disused 1867 primary school, built in Victorian Gothic style.

The theatre was founded in 1971 and exclusively presents its own productions. It also operates an educational programme called Shakespeare for Schools and runs a trainee director scheme.

Education

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Melford Hall

Discover the stories behind this eclectic home.
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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It’s fair to say that Melford Hall has had its share of trials and tribulations, but it’s thanks to many generations from medieval monks to the Hyde Parker family who still live here, that this home still stands.

Around every corner there’s a new twist in the story – from Beatrix Potter sketches to collections of naval paintings and Chinese porcelain – everything tells a story and everyone has left their mark.

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Exeter Cathedral

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
0

Welcome to Exeter Cathedral, one of the great cathedrals of England, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture anywhere. This is a very exciting time in the life of the Cathedral; a time of development and change as we work hard to improve facilities and the experience people have when they visit.

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Tintern Abbey

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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The appeal of this exceptional Cistercian abbey remains as enduring as ever.

An area of outstanding beauty complemented by this outstanding beauty in stone. If only the walls could talk! The chants of countless monks echo through the masonry here. Despite the shell of this grand structure being open to the skies, it remains the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales. Although the abbey church was rebuilt under the patronage of Roger Bigod, lord of nearby Chepstow Castle, in the late 13th century, the monastery retains its original design.

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