MMU STEPPING OUT Project Focus Group

The STEPPING OUT project arises from the UK Design Skills Alliance having identified that a network of Leading Design Professionals connected to education will support the development and delivery of industry relevant curricula. Whilst it is recognised that Art and Design providers already engage with leading design professionals, their numbers, backgrounds and involvement in developing or delivering the curriculum is varied and relatively under-reported.

The Project has been commissioned as a compliment to the national Looking Out research project to examine in detail current engagements between Creative Industries and Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s).

The proposed project took the first steps in gathering and analysing data by putting together a focus group consisting of a number of  industry professionals, (which I was privileged to be asked to be one of it’s representatives) – alongside key Academics from MMU with the main purpose to use the initial research as a starting point to discuss strategies for the development of the Design Professionals’ role within HE.

Many thanks to Paul Bason – Director of Creative Manchester, Marcus Lord – Business Development Manager at MMU, Liz Wheeldon-Wyatt - Senior Lecturer at MMU and Jonathan Hitchen - Programme Leader BA(hons) Design & Art Direction at MMU for the invitation and being such lovely hosts.

~Wini