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Manufacturing and materials

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RSArchive

Stones, songs and secrets 

From a laundry list on limestone to Lear’s vibrant parrots, the RSA’s role in the birth of lithography is a tale of invention, intrigue and the elusive Madame Gleissner
9 Jul 2025 Richard Hale
An old-fashioned printing press with large rollers, a crank handle, and a flat platform holding two illustrated pages on an open surface, shown against a plain light background.
video

RDI Address 2024

We award the title ‘Royal Designer for Industry’ annually to designers of all disciplines who have achieved sustained design excellence, work of aesthetic value, and significant benefit to society.
28 Nov 2024
Aerial view of a neatly arranged garden with multiple sections of varied plants and flowers, interspersed with dirt paths. A wooden building with a gray roof is situated to the left, surrounded by lush trees and a backdrop of open fields.
Online

Where next for business?

Alan Jope, outgoing CEO of Unilever, discusses the need for a system shift in business practice to unlock potential and support a regenerative economy.
27 Apr 2023
A woman with long hair holds a smartphone while standing outdoors. She is smiling and looking up. Behind her, there is lush green foliage and tall buildings. The scene blends nature with urban architecture.
Public talks

Sir Peter Bazalgette is joined by pioneering creative entrepreneurs to discuss the importance of maximising the value of the sector to wider society and the economy.
19 Apr 2023
Two people stand at a desk reviewing design sketches in a modern office. In the background, another person works on a whiteboard, and a fourth walks by. The desk is filled with papers, a VR headset, and a game controller.
Blog

From the era of anxiety to an age of aspiration

Shifting to an age of aspiration requires an environment where risk is seen as an opportunity, the culture is one of optimism, and investment is everywhere. Andy Haldane, RSA CEO, suggests our Design for Life mission can turn the tide of opinion to achieve those objectives.
8 May 2024 Andy Haldane
A man wearing a cap gives a piggyback ride to a smiling child. They are looking towards the horizon, enjoying a beach setting with a soft, warm sunset in the background.
Feature

King Cole’s blue-sky thinking

Sir Henry Cole’s list of achievements is long and varied — from the first director of the V&A to helping to establish the Great Exhibition. So it is only right that ‘King Cole’ is commemorated by a blue plaque where he lived and worked in London’s South Kensington.
21 Mar 2024 Mike Thatcher
A grid of twelve blue historical plaques on a blue background, each commemorating a notable person, including Angela Carter, Mahatma Gandhi, Charlie Chaplin, and Edith Cavell, among others. Each plaque lists the person's name and their significance.
Feature

50 Famous Fellows

RSA Fellows include globally renowned and historically significant individuals across all industries. Here, we cast a spotlight on just 50 of them, ranging from lions of the Enlightenment to contemporary campaigners for justice.
15 Mar 2024 Dan Matthews
A graphic with the numbers "50" in bold black between two ornate columns on a light pink background. Below the numbers, the text reads "Famous Fellows" in smaller black font.
Feature

Take it slow

One Fellow’s quest to transform global clothing production.
13 Sep 2023 Cristyn Bevan
View through an oval window showing inside a room with hydroponic shelves filled with potted plants. The lighting is purple, enhancing the vibrant green of the leaves. The background is a solid turquoise color.
Blog

Future of engineering: skills and safety for an evolving sector

Safety in engineering is vital and introducing new technologies to protect workers is important in supporting the future of the profession. This blog outlines milestones in a related project and discusses upcoming engagement opportunities.
1 Feb 2023 Fabian Wallace-Stephens, Emma Morgante
A person wearing a yellow safety vest and black gloves is focused on adjusting machinery. They are working in an industrial setting, surrounded by equipment. The person appears attentive, concentrating intently on the task.