DesignLab Nation – creating a legacy for Devon and Cornwall’s future designers
4 December 2024
Since 2021, The Box has been taking part in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) national schools programme DesignLab Nation which inspires secondary school students to become the next generation of designers, makers and innovators.
Each year participating students were partnered with a professional designer, to solve a unique design challenge, inspired by The Box’s historical and contemporary design collections. As part of the project students visited local industry partners and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to learn 21st century skills and explore potential career pathways.
The students’ eyes have been well and truly opened to the wider world of Art and Design. They have gained more cultural capital in this one project than many years in the classroom, in my opinion.
Participating Teacher
Since its launch in Plymouth 300 students from nine different schools across Devon and Cornwall have joined forces with The Box, visiting organisations such as Makers HQ, Princess Yachts and the University of Plymouth to learn about in-depth design processes and techniques in fashion, boatbuilding, immersive technologies and sustainable architecture.
We explored design and architecture in ways that we might not have been able to otherwise and I’m proud of our designs.
Participating Student
Now, as DesignLab Nation enters its final year we’re excited to announce that we’ll be continuing to work in partnership with the V&A to develop a DesignLab Nation legacy workshop. This workshop will become part of the main schools programme here at The Box allowing students to be inspired by the innovation across the Southwest whilst gaining important skills for their future.
Partnering with the V&A for DesignLab Nation has been a transformative experience for everyone involved. The students have worked on some fascinating design journeys, gaining a better understanding of the importance of design to Plymouth’s heritage. In return, we’ve seen them working with industry partners to develop key skills and discover the potential of future careers in design and technology.
Adam Murray, Learning Officer at The Box
Discover more about DesignLab Nation.
DesignLab Nation is generously supported by Sarah Nichols.