This year we are running a series of free in-person and online workshops to delve deeper into the RSA Student Design Awards’ brief topics.

If you're passionate about using your skills to tackle real world problems and want the chance to share ideas, expand your horizons and connect with industry practitioners then make haste and apply below!

We’re looking for a group of enthusiastic and curious students and recent graduates from a variety of disciplines to participate. You don’t have to be working on those specific briefs just yet, however we will expect you to have a relevant interest in the topics highlighted in each workshop.

Spaces are limited so don’t miss your chance to take part and get involved!

Leaving no one behind: An introduction to inclusive design 

• Online

  When: 4th December, 5pm - 6:30pm GMT

Designing inclusively is not done by accident. In fact, it’s a reflective and intentional practice which requires designers to be more critical of our design practice, conscious of the power dynamics at play in society (and people) that has resulted in a society where people and communities are left behind in regards to the solutions and services they need.

In this introductory session, students will get first hand learnings from an inclusive design practitioner and learn about foundational concepts to begin embedding inclusion design approaches in their own practice and briefs.

 Applications now closed

Cultivating Community Workshops

How might we reimagine common spaces to build diverse communities through food?

• London

  When: 13th November 12pm - 4:30pm GMT

  Where: Company Drinks, Barking

• Nottingham

  When: 20th November 11:30am - 4pm GMT

  Where: St Christopher's Church

• Online

  When: 4th December

  (please include time preferences in your application)

A hands-on workshop that will allow you to explore the concepts of inclusive community building, place-based design and the role that food plays in bringing people together and fostering relationships.

During this workshop you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet and hear directly from different actors and initiatives that are harnessing the convening power of food to engage with their local communities.

• Learn and explore key elements to consider when designing to promote interaction and engagement.

• Delve deeper into the concepts of ‘community’ and ‘place’ to consider in your research and development for your Cultivating Community proposal.

Applications now closed

Fashion for a Circular Economy

How might we use circular design principles to innovate the way we produce, use and access everyday clothing items?

• London

  When: 15th November 10:30am - 3:15pm GMT

  Where: Design Museum

• Edinburgh

  When: 29th November 10:30am - 3:15pm GMT

  Where: Dovecot Studios

• Online

  When: 6th December

  (please include time preferences in your application)

A hands-on workshop that will allow you to explore fashion in a circular economy. Around 300,000 tones of clothing are landfilled or incinerated in the UK ever year; microfibre shedding from clothing is entering our oceans; and cotton is the most pesticide intensive of any crop grown – fashion has many problems.

The concept of a circular economy shows us that to tackle these complex issues we need to move from a model which ‘takes, makes and wastes’ resources to one which is regenerative by design. In fashion this might mean creating better quality clothing, renting rather than owning and ensuring materials are safe and renewable.

During this workshop you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain an understanding of circular economy thinking 

• Learn tools and techniques for applying this to designing for the fashion system

• Meet and learn from other designers

Applications now closed

KEY DATES

Aug 2020 – Briefs launch online + registration opens

Mon 25 Jan 2021 – Competition opens for submissions via sda.thersa.org

4 pm GMT, Wed 10 Feb 2021 – Deadline for Early Bird submission at reduced entry fee of £25

4 pm GMT, Wed 10 Mar 2021 – Final deadline for online registration and submission (£35 entry fee)

Mar - May 2021 – Judging (2 stages: shortlisting and interviews with finalists)

June 2021 – Awards Ceremony