Last month, arts education charity, the Michael Aldrich Foundation, ran its first community event at Grand Parade, University of Brighton with a focus on creative careers. Beginning with a specially curated exhibition of the Aldrich Collection of art and design, the event showcased the work of four emerging creatives - Artist Jack Durling, Maker Eleanor
We are so excited to see Music Memory Box finally on Kickstarter! Music Memory Box originated in our Designing for the Future project at the University of Brighton in which designer Chloe Meineck took part back in 2011. Eight years and lots of research, prototyping, dedication and energy later, the Music Memory Box is now
The new "Enabled" module at University of Brighton moved to the Dragons Den stage last week when Alison Lapper MBE and I acted as the panel quizzing the 3D Design & Craft students on their projects. The ideas were interesting and wide ranging from edible prosthetics to using proprioception research to develop products to help
Good News! Designing for the Future winner, Tom Meades' new product is now on Kickstarter! Originally conceived as his final year project at the University of Brighton, the GOMI bluetooth speaker is made from waste plastic collected from businesses in Brighton which would have otherwise ended up in landfill, incinerated or in the ocean. For
As part of my new role with the Michael Aldrich Foundation, last weekend was spent at the Saturday Fashion Club at the University of Brighton turning plastic waste into beautiful fashion accessories. The Saturday Fashion Club has been running for 12 years and is part of the National Saturday Club founded by designers John and Frances
I was delighted to be invited back to the University of Brighton this week to take part in the launch of a new project, Enabled, to 3D Design & Craft students. This project, which being run by Course Leader, Jem Ryan: "aims to address the disability divide through thoughtful research, listening, design and making". I
I had the pleasure of visiting Handmade at Kew this week, an exciting event in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens which features work from over 150 international and UK-based contemporary artists showcasing gorgeous textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass and furniture. The talent this year is extraordinary. Exhibitors include DFF alumnus, Jack Durling who is showing a
One of the many projects I have been involved with in 2017 is the re-invigoration of the Michael Aldrich Foundation of which I am Chair. The Michael Aldrich Foundation is an independent charity which exists to promote education and in particular arts education. It has its origins in the University of Brighton with which it
In the Summer of 2014, we participated in a 3 day workshop with the (sadly now defunct) Design Futures programme at the University of Brighton which was led by Damon Taylor, design theorist and cultural historian. The participants were about 30 students from diverse degrees (from marketing to fashion and business) and the stakeholders of 5 social
"Terra, Mural" is the result of an exciting collaboration between The Michael Aldrich Foundation and Brighton artist, Jack Durling. Across two workshops, one as part of the "Into the Arts Conference" at the University of Brighton and another at Jack's studio, artists and members of the public created clay tiles inspired by Jack's conservation- focussed
