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Opportunity for Textiles & Interiors students: International Surface and Spatial Design Project
Participants will also propose a Colour Material Finish (CMF) concept board and surface-focused interior spatial concept, which collaboratively celebrates Indian and British Textile Heritage within a contemporary Indo-British spatial context.
Inspiration will be informed by cross-cultural notions of place and design contexts, considering the potential to reinvent space through the integration of surface Innovation, colour, materials and pattern.
Working in research groups, students will collaborate across cultures and disciplines, produce innovative spatial concepts, engage with material research, surface design and contemporary design practice, developing breadth in professional portfolios whilst also developing creative, professional and collaborative skillsets.
You will gain international peer feed-back and the project will be concluded by an international critique.
Participants will compile a final digital submission to present to your external audience.
The collaboration will result in a live spatial intervention within a designated British Council exhibition space in India, celebrating cross-cultural design narratives and showcasing collaborative projects and concepts.
There is an opportunity for two students to go India later in the year to curate and set-up the final show, which will be displayed at the British Council Head Quarters in New Delhi, India.
Associated Badges:
In A Nutshell...
- Collaborate ... You will collaborate with MMU students from Textiles in Practice and Interior Design, as well as Interior Design students from Pearl Academy in India, and the British Council, India
- Upskill ... you will learn from experienced practitioners (UK and India) in a development programme facilitated by expert partners. You will gain valuable skills in international diplomacy, negotiation, development and leadership.
- Engage Online ... through multiple mediums, you will engage with practitioners, partners and group members to develop exciting concepts and proposals.
- Show Leadership ... through testing, sharing best practice and cross-cultural techniques and skills, you will gain the opportunity to demonstrate creative problem solving and design resolution
- Gain Recognition ... not only will you earn significant micro credentials with externally recognised certification, but you will also have the opportunity to present your work to a global audience online and in person at the Design Council head Quarters
- Earn up to 300 Rise points ... which can be recognised within your degree.
Schedule
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09:00 to 12:00 on 13/04/26 - LWG08
Project Launch and Briefing In this activity you will receive an Introduction to the MMU Team & the Pearl Academy Team. Scope of the project with British Council India. The site, the architect and philosophy of building and British Council ethos. Groups selection & Ice Breaker -
13:00 to 16:00 on 13/04/26
Independent Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and begin developing ideas/sketches/concepts, and gathering and sharing your research via different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 14/04/26 - Takes place online
Pearl Sharing Design Insights In this session you will receive an introduction to Indian textiles and patterns (led by Sharda Nautiyal). You will then work collectively online with your teams, led by Interior Design practitioner and educator Nidhi Bindal. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 14/04/26
Independent Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and continue developing ideas/sketches/concepts, and gathering and sharing your research via different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 15/04/26 - LWG08
Textiles Insights and Workshop Today you will be introduced to heritage textiles of Manchester delivered by Eleanor Godfrey, then insights in textiles application by interior design practitioner and educator, Urmimala Bora, followed by a facilitated group ideation session. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 15/04/26
Independent Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and begin developing ideas/sketches/concepts, and gathering and sharing your research via different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 16/04/26 - LWG08
Industry Insights, Tips and CMF Workshop In this session Jessica Ellis will give you expert industry insights followed by a CMF Workshop. Afterwards Jahani will deliver a session on how to use textiles as textures/patterns/forms in interiors, furniture modulation, and graphics. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 16/04/26
Independent Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and continue developing and iterating ideas/sketches/concepts/samples/models/tests, and and sharing across different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 17/04/26 - LWG08
Material, Form and Shape Industry expert, Emily Bagshaw from Material Source gives a talk on virtual materials . Afterwards textiles expert, Daisy Jenson will deliver a session on designing with form and shape. Afterwards the team with facilitate group ideation on Teams. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 17/04/26
Independant Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and continue developing and iterating ideas/sketches/concepts/samples/models/tests, and and sharing across different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 20/04/26 - LWG08
Visualisation & Presentation Millie Tillot, textiles and interior expert, will deliver a session on her industry insights and then deliver a conceptual visualisation workshop. Afterwards, Saman Ambreen will deliver a session on presentation. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 20/04/26
Independent Group Work In this session you will meet with your group independently and begin finalising your concept, CMF boards and overall vision across different methods such as Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 21/04/26 - Takes place online
Pearl & MMU Brief and Presentation Re-cap Jessica and the Pearl team will deliver a briefing session on the final submission requirement, including what to present, how and when. The session will conclude with a facilitated session on Teams and Miro -
13:00 to 16:00 on 21/04/26
INDEPENDANT GROUP WORK In this session you will meet with your group independently and refine your proposal, prepare and plan your group presentation and final pitch. You will do the via Teams meetings, Miro, WhatsApp, Padlet etc. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 22/04/26 - LWG08
Polishing Your Presentation Workshop This will be your last opportunity to get feedback as your run through your draft presentations with the design team and your peers. -
13:00 to 16:00 on 22/04/26
Final Indépendant Group Work In this session you will meet with your group for the final time, and implement any last changes to your proposals, based on feedback from the morning session. You will do this via Teams, Miro and WhatsApp. -
09:00 to 12:00 on 23/04/26 - LWG08
FINAL PITCH PRESENTATIONS Jess, MMU Design Team + Pearl Academy staff will facilitate the Final Pitch Presentations, which will happen in groups, timings will be provided.