DMU links with Design-Nation to connect students and makers

De Montfort University Leicester has formed a strategic partnership with Design-Nation to strengthen links between its design students and the UK’s creative industries.

Design-Nation represents more than 350 contemporary makers and designers. It will work with DMU’s School of Design Innovation to support students, create industry links and open up new routes for collaboration between education and creative businesses.

The partnership has been announced ahead of New Designers in London, where DMU is among the universities exhibiting graduate work.

Design-Nation members have already visited DMU to review final-year student portfolios, provide professional feedback and share industry insight. Members also presented awards at the university’s Degree Show alongside Head of School Carolyn Hardaker.

Stuart Lawson, Deputy Head of the School of Design Innovation at De Montfort University, said: “We are delighted to formally establish this partnership with Design-Nation.

“There is a strong shared ambition to nurture creative talent, encourage innovation and create impactful opportunities for students and practitioners. We look forward to developing an exciting programme of collaborative activity together.”

The agreement is expected to give students wider access to practising designers, makers and creative professionals. It will also help them develop their portfolios, build industry contacts and better understand career routes in contemporary craft and design.

For creative businesses and independent makers, the partnership offers a route to engage with emerging talent and contribute to future skills development. Planned activity includes specialist CPD for Design-Nation members, access to DMU’s facilities for creative practice, guest lectures, mentoring, portfolio reviews, live industry projects and creative collaborations.

The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding, setting out a framework for collaboration over the coming years.

A proposed Maker-in-Residence scheme is also being explored, giving creative practitioners the opportunity to develop new work at DMU while sharing their experience with students.