About Design Ventura
We want to share an important update about the Design Ventura programme.
After 15 successful years, our partnership with Deutsche Bank has come to an end. We are grateful for their continuous support over this time, for all that we have achieved together and the impact we were able to create.
The full programme will pause from September 2025 while we work to secure a new sponsor. During this time, we are actively exploring new ways to offer engagement opportunities for schools, and we will share updates with you in the near future.
Although the live competition is on hold, the spirit of Design Ventura continues through nearly ten years of free learning resources. These include lesson plans, project briefs, films, and activities that have supported teaching in Design & Technology, Art & Design, Business Studies, and Enterprise. All materials remain freely available online to enrich classroom learning (no registration needed.)
Since its launch, Design Ventura has engaged over 160,000 students from more than 3,400 schools, showcasing the power of design to inspire creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. While the full programme is paused, these resources allow teachers and students to continue drawing on its legacy in the classroom.
We know how much Design Ventura has meant to both students and teachers, and we remain committed to keeping its impact alive while we work towards the next chapter.
Thank you for your continued support and for being an essential part of the Design Ventura community.
Support and benefits for registered schools:
- Supports the delivery of the Design and Technology curriculum, including the D&T GCSE specification (KS3 and GCSE mapping can be found here – you will need to be logged in)
- Free teacher CPD sessions, including live online sessions, with pathways to Goldsmiths College MA in Design Education
- Free workshops at the Design Museum, supported by design and industry professionals
- Online resources, including workshop plans, films and step through process
- Flexible project structure that can be run as an extra-curricular activity, a STEM/STEAM project or towards CREST awards or Arts Mark
- Support from the Design Museum team
- All participating students receive certificates
- The top ten ideas are displayed in a public exhibition at the Design Museum
- Winners will work with professional designers to see their idea manufactured and sold in the Design Museum shop
Who can take part?
- Students in years 9, 10 and 11
- UK state schools
- 4-6 students per team
- D&T, A&D, Business & Enterprise Students and related creative subjects
- International and Independent schools are welcome to participate in the project but we are unable to offer free workshops and they will compete for a separate prize. For more details please contact the Design Ventura team.
Key Dates
Design Ventura Staff
-
Elysia Thorpe
Programme Manager Design Ventura -
Aithne Tılsım Palfreyman
Assistant Programme Manager Design Ventura -
Sally Jones
Freelance Educator and Artist -
Lea Jagendorf
Freelance Educator & Designer
the
DESIGN
MUSEUM
The world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, product and industrial design. The Design Museum opened in its spectacular new location in the former Commonwealth Institute building on High Street Kensington on 24 November, 2016. The Museum is an international showcase for the many design skills at which Britain excels and a creative centre, promoting innovation and nurturing the next generation of design talent. Learning is at the heart of the museum with provision from early years through formal learning to adult courses and the varied public programmes of events.
Our values Plan your visit Find out moreThe Shop
The Design Museum shop aims to sell the most beautiful, innovative, intelligently designed products and publications from around the world. It operates through two retail spaces at the new site in Kensington and through the online shop.
Find out more Shop websiteThe Collection
The Design Museum’s collection is an important record of the key designs that have shaped the modern world. It tells the history of mass production, from the manufacturing innovations of the nineteenth century up to the digital and making revolution of the last few years.
The Collection Design objects Designer Maker UserJade Fricker
Barton Court Grammar School
Gurpal Thiara
The Lammas School
Haggerston School
Manor CE Academy
Upton Hall School FCJ
Sutton Grammar School
Halcyon International School
St Olave’s Grammar School
Sale Grammar School
Plumstead Manor School
southend high school for girls
Waldegrave
Lady Margaret School
Clapton Girls’ Academy
Chulmleigh College
the kings school canterbury
Stour Valley Community School
The Grammar School at Leeds
Hazelwick School
Thomas Deacon Academy
Ely college
Merchiston Castle School
Leigh Stationers Academy
Saffron Walden County High School
Tibshelf Community School
Oaklands Secondary School
St Clement Danes School
Kings College School
Prendergast Ladywell School
Clapton Girls’ Academy
The Long Eaton School
burnham grammar school
Fabia Hully
Beaminster School
Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School
Glenthorne High School
East Barnet School
Tunbridge wells Grammar school for Boys
Forest Hill School
Colfe’s School
Charles Darwin School
St benedict’s School
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
Oakwood Park Grammar School
Salesian College, Farnborough
The Keystone Academy
The British School
Fareham Academy
St. Patrick’s and St. Brigids College
2020 Winner - Heckmondwike Grammar School
2019 Winner - Twynham School Sopers Lane
2018 Winner - Simon Ball All-through School
2017 Winner - Weatherhead High School
2016 Winner - Harrogate Grammar School
2015 Winner - Finchley Catholic High School
2014 Winner - Burnage Academy for Boys
2013 Winner - Weald of Kent Grammar School
2012 Winner - Trinity School
2011 Winner - Walworth Academy
2010 Winner - Haberdasher’s Aske’s Hatcham College
2017 Winner – Weatherhead High School