The Lower Sixth Design and Technology students recently spent a day in London exploring two inspiring examples of contemporary design in action: Notpla, the sustainable materials company, and the V&A East Storehouse, where they participated in the Imagined Cities: Designing Urban Futures workshop.
The trip highlighted how DT connects classroom learning with real-world challenges, giving students first-hand insight into how designers, engineers and architects are shaping the future.
The students first stop was Notpla, an award-winning company developing alternatives to single-use plastics using seaweed and plant-based materials. Through its innovative approach to sustainable packaging, Notpla demonstrates how scientific research, engineering and product design can be combined to tackle global environmental challenges.
Students were given a behind-the-scenes look at industrial manufacturing processes, observing injection moulding, extrusion and calendaring in action and seeing how materials are transformed into products at scale. They also had the opportunity to visit Notpla’s development laboratory, where they observed tensile testing being undertaken, gaining a greater appreciation of how engineers evaluate material properties such as strength, flexibility and durability before materials are used in commercial products.
“It was really interesting seeing a working Research and Development lab, and the machine demonstrations.” Audrey
For our students, the visit provided a valuable insight into the future of materials engineering.
“I found it really interesting when the seaweed alginate was sprayed with sea salt spray and instantly hardened into an edible solid.” Freddy F
Seeing research, testing, manufacturing and product development taking place in a commercial setting brought classroom learning to life and reinforced the role that Design and Technology plays in developing more sustainable products and systems. Experiences such as these demonstrate how the knowledge and skills developed through DT are applied within modern industry.
The second part of the day took place at the V&A East Storehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where students took part in the Imagined Cities: Designing Urban Futures workshop.
A central theme of the workshop was the concept of third spaces: the social environments that sit between home and work or school, where communities gather, interact and connect.
Students worked collaboratively to redesign these spaces, exploring how thoughtful design can create more inclusive, engaging and sustainable communities.
For many students considering careers in engineering, architecture, product design and urban planning, the workshop provided an opportunity to think beyond individual products and consider the wider systems and environments that shape everyday life.
As the designers, architects and planners of the future, they were encouraged to imagine how cities can better meet the needs of those who live within them.
Together, the two visits showcased the breadth and relevance of Design and Technology. From developing sustainable materials to help address the global plastic waste crisis to reimagining the cities and communities of tomorrow, students saw how design, engineering and innovation can be used to solve real-world problems. The trip provided valuable insight into how thoughtful design can improve both the products we use and the places we live.