Shortlist announced for Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards 2020

Shortlist announced for the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Fixperts Awards.

We’re excited to share this year’s shortlist of incredible projects from all around the world. Now in it’s eighth year, this prestigious award celebrates creativity in human-centred design across all disciplines from undergraduates at university. The RCA judges will look for submissions which show ingenuity, empathy and innovation whilst focusing on health, the ageing community and social benefit.

We have seen an impressive set of entries from 14 universities across 11 countries including Japan, Australia, South Africa, England, and new comers in Kenya! Some, pre Covid-19, respond to the Fix Partner’s needs with the ambition to enrich their daily lives whilst others respond directly to challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic.

Congratulations to all that have made the shortlist and thank you to everyone who entered! Below you can view all of the projects and hopefully be inspired to begin your own Fixperts story! The winner will be announced, digitally, by the RCA and Helen Hamlyn on 12 October.

Arts and Crafts Trolley for Peter

Fix Partner Peter suffers from muscular dystrophy. He has a great interest in arts and crafts. The problem he experiences is a difficulty of transporting craft materials from his storage drawers to his working desk. Four Loughborough Design school students, worked with Peter to design a portable storage unit for his Arts and Crafts activities.
Fixperts: Xiaohan Liu, Johnny Humphries, Alex Robertson, Lydia Hughes.
Fix Partner: Peter Burgess.
Master Fixperts: Sharon Cook, Hua Dong.
Education Institute: Loughborough University
Country: England

Bottle Screwtop Opener for Shirley

Shirley has arthritis so she has difficulty opening bottles of sparkling water, her favourite drink. The Fixperts at Kingston University design a device so she can open the bottles herself for the first time in 12 years.
Fixperts: Dylan, Tom, Honey and Viri
Fix Partner: Shirley
Education Institute: Kingston University
Country: England

Designing for Rosario’s problem

Rosario has osteoarthritis which prevents her from bending her knees. She wears compression stockings everyday but needs assistance when putting them on. Fixperts at Escola Massana Barcelona University designed a device which would help her open them on herself and gain more independence.
Fixperts: Allison Pérez, Núria Paneque and Montse Martínez
Fix Partner: Rosario López
Master Fixperts: Diego Ramos and Isaac Piñeiro
Education Institute: Escola Massana Barcelona
Country: Spain

Dry Food Dispenser for Clive

Fix Partner Clive had a stroke which affects the mobility in his left hand side. Fixperts at Ravensbourne University work with Clive to design and fabricate a food dispenser, easing his daily life.
Fixperts: Dan and Ekiel
Fix Partner: Clive Mellor
Master Fixperts: Nadine Bennett
Education Institute: Ravensbourne University
Country: England

Everybody Likes Potato Bake

Joe and his family love a potato bake but finds it hard to cut the potatoes with a knife and other devices often seem unsafe. Fixperts at Kingston University help Joe by creating a device which can cut the perfect slice, making the food preparation that much easier.
Fixperts: Jo, Lucas, Lukas and Rosie
Fix Partner: Joe
Education Institute: Kingston University
Country: England

Hammer it Johan

Johan, 64 years of age, is a pensioner and a few months ago he was diagnosed with Distal Muscular Dystrophy which effects his forearms and hands. He enjoys woodworking but needed something to assist him to get better grip of screws and nails whilst making frames. Fixperts at Tshwane University of Technology solve the problem by producing a tool to help him work.
Fixperts: Henk Blankestijn, Denzill Bothma, Onkgopotse Mothibe and Tyler Shibambo
Fix Partner: Johan Heunis
Master Fixperts: Jan Hendrik Dubery
Education Institute: Tshwane University of Technology
Country: South Africa

Knife Knob for Gil

Gil Meltzer has difficulty using a knife in his right hand which makes preparing food a demanding process. Fixperts at HIT, Holon Institute of Technology use their design skills to create a handle that Gil can grip more easily.
Fixperts: Dor Eli, Dave Miller and Tom Samuel
Fix Partner: Gil Meltzer
Master Fixperts: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel

Luggage Alternative for Ben

Ben is a student at Brunel University and a member of three basketball teams. As a wheelchair user transporting luggage and other items can be difficult as he needs someone to carry the bag on his behalf. To gain more independence Fixperts at Brunel design and make an attachable device allowing him to carry his bags.
Fixperts: Ben Biddell, Ben Hughes, Max Younossi, Harvey Badcock, Joe Arrowsmith, Teresa Georgantzi
Fix Partner: Ben
Master Fixperts: Mike Kann
Education Institute: Brunel University
Country: England

Market Place Shoe Polisher

A shoe polisher in Nairobi finds difficulty when moving his heavy supplies around. Fixperts at Technical University of Kenya work with him to design a transportable trolly and find a solution to his problem.
Education Institute: Technical University of Kenya
Country: Kenya

Mobility Scooter Platform for Margherita

RMIT collaborated with MPavilion as part of their community engagement design intervention, MPROJECTS. Fixperts at RMIT worked with Margherita to enhance her motorised scooter and make it easier to use on a daily basis.
Fixperts: Marcel, Luke, Jon and Todd
Fix Partner: Margherita Coppolino
Education Institute: RMIT University
In collaboration with: MPavilion

Tea Time with June

Fixperts at Brunel 2020 develop a milk bottle opener with their 88 year old Fix Partner, June Sault. June suffers from severe arthritis in both her hands and lack of mobility in her right shoulder. The product helps her open the cap of milk bottles and cut the seal. Double or quits!
Fixperts: Elsa (Anmol Kaur) Wadhwa, Jonathan Fisher, Lorcan O’Shea, Markella Viagkini, Reece Jerrett and Thomas Sault
Fix Partner: June
Master Fixperts: Mike Kann
Education Institute: Brunel University
Country: England

Wearable Jacket for Nagi and her mother

Nagi is full of curiosity. She has an interest in everything and tries to put something in her mouth. Although, her mother would like to keep tissues near as she uses them frequently. We made clothes with tissue case on the back to solve the problem.
Fixperts: Yuka, Mao, Yunika and Fuyuka
Fix Partner: Nagi and her mother Aki
Master Fixperts: Shin Azumi, Hidehiko Miura, Hiroaki Ohba and Jumpei Umekawa
Education Institute: Hosei University
Country: Japan

Designing in a pandemic

The coronavirus has bought challenges for a lot of people around the world. This year the Helen Hamlyn Judges will also present ‘Designing in a pandemic’ – an award which celebrates the problem solvers who have created a project whilst in lockdown.

Airpecker by Dennis

Dennis from Universität der Künste Berlin finds the air quality in his apartment very poor which gives him headaches. As he is restricted to being inside during the Coronavirus pandemic he designs and makes a device which reminds him to open the windows whilst he is working.
Fixperts: Dennis Loebach
Fix Partner: Dennis Loebach
Master Fixperts: Robert Scheipner
Education Institute: Universität der Künste Berlin / University of Art Berlin
Country: Germany

Anti Fog Eyeglasses

Tomer and Noga both wear eyeglasses and during the Coronavirus pandemic have had to wear a mask for safety reasons. Each time they wear their mask their glasses steam up, making it difficult to see. They are Fixperts at HIT, Holon Institute of Technology and have come up with an ingenious solution to de-fog their glasses.
Fixperts: Tomer and Noga
Fix Partner: Tomer and Noga
Master Fixperts: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel

Folding Work Area for Children

During the Coronavirus pandemic Fixperts at HIT, Holon Institute of Technology create a folding work area for a child who needs privacy and a place to concentrate whilst doing school work from home.
Fixperts: Yuval and Amit
Fix Partner: Ian
Master Fixperts: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel

GreenThumb by John

Whilst on lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic John started to care for plants for the first time. After monitoring their water and light needs he created a watering system token the plants as healthy as possible.
Fixperts: John Lörinci
Fix Partner: John Lörinci
Master Fixperts: Robert Scheipner
Education Institute: Universität der Künste Berlin / University of Art Berlin
Country: Germany

Soapanda – Hand Hygiene for Children

Fixperts at HIT, Holon Institute of Technology create a special hand soap for children to be encourage to properly wash their hands during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Fixperts: Orr, Daya and Darya
Fix Partner: Children
Master Fixperts: Prof. Gad Charny and Dana Yichye Shwachman
Education Institute: HIT Holon Institute of Technology
Country: Israel

The Holding Hands Machine – Der Händchenhaltautomat by Emma

Emma, a Fixperts from Universität der Künste Berlin, created a machine which would allow her to interact with people safely during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Fixperts: Emma Mende
Fix Partner: Emma Mende
Master Fixperts: Robert Scheipner
Education Institute: Universität der Künste Berlin / University of Art Berlin
Country: Germany

Window Planter by Aurelia

During the Coronavirus pandemic Aurelia was on lockdown in her Berlin apartment. She wanted to bring a sense of plant-life into the view from her window, making her lockdown experience more comfortable.
Fixperts: Aurelia Lehmann
Fix Partner: Aurelia Lehmann
Master Fixperts: Robert Scheipner
Education Institute: Universität der Künste Berlin / University of Art Berlin
Country: Germany

FixEd – Fixing Education

Learning to solve problems

Challenging young people to apply their imagination & skills to the world around them

 

  • Award winning learning programmes for universities and schools

 

  • Equally relevant to design, engineering, STEM/STEAM and D&T

 

  • A 21st century mix of creativity, technical skills and social values
FixCamp

Our award-winning free programme runs in schools and universities in the UK and internationally. Working in teams Fixperts learn to develop skills in empathy, problem-solving and communications.

Engaging workshops, day camps and week-long courses assume that young people aged 9-14 hold the solutions to the problems of tomorrow. A hands-on brains-on experience using anything from sticks to drones.

Why fixing?

Fixing is a valuable way to think about change in the world – everyone can relate to ideas about repair and improvement. 

We don’t care if they consider themselves designers, engineers, artists, technologists or simply dreamers, our approach is proven to engage and equip young learners to use their imagination and skills to make things better.

FixCamp: the summer camp for kids who want to fix the world

FixCamp is the summer activity camp for kids who want to have ideas, solve problems and build big. 

Every day we’ll learn to make and use tools, build something big together and understand what it might take to fix the world.

FixCamp will be in London, Mondays to Fridays between 23 July and 10 August at South Bank Engineering UTC, Brixton. Tickets on sale now!

When? Monday – Friday, 23 July – 10 August 2018
Minimum booking 2 days

Where? South Bank Engineering UTC
56 Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2 1QS

Who? Ages 9-14
Skills optional, attitude essential

FixCamp is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

We’re proud to be part of Year of Engineering 2018.

FixCamp: the summer camp for kids who want to fix the world.

Every day we’ll learn to make and use tools, build something big together and understand what it might take to fix the world.

When? Monday – Friday, 23 July – 10 August 2018
Minimum booking 2 days

Where? South Bank Engineering UTC
56 Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2 1QS

Who? Ages 9-14
Skills optional, attitude essential

How much? £50/day
Discounts for siblings and residents and FREE scholarships available

FixCamp is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

We’re proud to be part of Year of Engineering 2018.

Big ideas

What are engineers and designers without ideas? The world is changing and we need new ideas: new ways of living together, new ways of working together and new visions of improvement. FixCamp is only one day, but it could change a life.

Big builds

Hackers, mechanics, printers, foresters: each day teams will be challenged with a big issue, a new tool, a skill and a big build. Tools might be hacksaws, 3-d printers, spanners or knitting needles! And the big builds might be timber, cardboard or inflatable. Sure thing is they’re going to make a statement.

We need you!

We aim to reach over 200 children this summer – and we can’t do that alone. We’ve recruited our core team now, but we’re still looking for engineers and designers who would like to volunteer their time as Camp ‘Coaches‘ and work experience seekers who fancy a few days being a ‘Runner’. Could it be you? Get right in touch!

Essential info

FixCamp is a design and engineering summer activity programme, where young people come together to think big and build big.

Using traditional and new materials and technologies i.e. from STICKS to DRONES – attendees will make their own tools and learn how to use them, and then use those tools to make big things together. Along the way they’ll get familiar with problem solving processes and think about how some of the big problems of today need creative solutions from people like them.

The first FixCamp will be in London in summer 2018.

In FixCamp kids will get busy with:

  • Ideas Inspiring and challenging ideas about the realities of today and possibilities for the future
  • Tools Using a range of tools and materials, from traditional to digital, understanding how things are made and what tools are for
  • Skills Challenging and fun exercises from whittling to 3D printing
  • Big making Taking it to the next level, working in teams to make large-scale installations with the daily ‘Big Build’

Download our flyer here to share the basics.

A typical day at FixCamp

 9:30 am Drop off and registration; the day starts straight at the making table
9:45 am – 10am Full-camp morning circle, big theme conversation
10am – 11am Work Session 1/Skills new and old
11am – 12am Work Session 2/Make your tools
12pm – 12:30 pm Lunch: eating outside if the weather is good
12:30 pm – 1 pm Play break! Organised game connected to the daily theme
1 pm – 1:30 pm Full camp lunch circle: BIG IDEA introduction and planning session: learning to see the big picture, have ideas, and plan to make them.
1:30pm – 2:45pm The BIG MAKE
2:45pm – 3:15 pm Tidy up and the BIG BUILD
3:15pm – 3:30pm Presentation and CELEBRATION!

FixCamp is brought to you by FixEd, a think and do tank and not for profit organisation exploring the future of creative education.

It’s being developed by an expert team of designers, engineers, architects and makers. Between us we’ve been paid by museums, governments, schools & universities and even cities to think creatively about the future and deliver programmes that help change it for the better. FixCamp is something we ‘d all have wanted to do when we were young.

It builds off our work with Fixperts, an education programme which challenges students to fix something for someone else. Fixperts has now been run in over 30 universities worldwide.

The day teams will all be designers and engineers, many of them students. There will be a minimum ratio of 8:1 children to leaders.

During the days the teams will be joined by expert ‘Coaches’, engineers, designers and makers who will share their knowledge and expertise with attendees.

FixCamp is £50* per day with a 2-day minimum booking.  

*Discounts are available for early birds, siblings and local residents. Scholarships available for those who might benefit but struggle to pay.

Note only one discount can be used per booking. 

  • Sibling discount: 15% across the entire booking; use code FIXCAMPSIBLING at checkout.
  • Local resident discount: 20% for postcodes starting SW2 or SW9; use code FIXCAMPLOCAL at checkout.

There are a number of full and part scholarships for those who could not otherwise attend; these are being arranged through local schools but can be awarded direct at our discretion, please get in touch.

FixCamp is a not-for-profit initiative and relies on grants and other subsidies. You could help – how about gifting a ticket to your community?

Make sure you view our cancellation policy before booking.

Here’s the headlines – but please shout if you have any more questions.

For things like booking requirements, cancellations and our child safety and behaviour policies there’s a lot more detail in our terms and conditions.

9-14 is a wide age range – what’s the thinking behind it?

We recognise that 9 year olds and 14 year olds have very different interests and skills. While we’ll be planning for that by offering our 13 and 14 year olds slightly different roles and responsibilities within the teams, we believe there’s more to be gained than lost in bringing everyone together into mixed groups.

What will I actually be making?

Each day teams will be challenged with a big issue, a new tool, a skill and a big build. Tools used include hacksaws. mallets, spanners and screwdrivers. There will be 3-d printers and drones used. The big makes include timber, cardboard and inflatable structures. Each build needs to complete in an afternoon so they are relatively simple and to some degree pre-planned, but they offer a full experience of applying imagination and skills in a team to achieve something big. There are 5 teams working with 5 different materials and tools, so unless you want to you won’t do the same day twice. You’ll be allocated your team every day; while we’ll try to accommodate specific interests if we can, we can’t offer you a choice.

Do I have to know how to make things already? 

‘Skills optional – attitude essential’ is our mantra, so no, you don’t need to be able to make things before you come. That’s what you’re coming to us for!

Is it dangerous?

Not more than most crafting activities – there’s no hot works – though knives are used for whittling. Your safety and wellbeing is really important to us and we’ll make sure that all tools, materials and activities are age appropriate, demonstrated and fully supervised. Your team will have a supervision ratio of 1:8 and all our staff will receive training prior to FixCamp.

A complete risk assessment of FixCamp will be undertaken prior to the event. This will highlight any areas of risk and suitable responses and we’ll let you know in advance anything we think you should be aware of.

Is it fun?

Good question. Fun is a pretty subjective idea – so we can’t guarantee that everyone will have fun. But if you like cool ideas, and if you liked building dens, and you have the kind of attitude that means you’re willing to give things a go, then we think it’s going to be fun for you.

What do I need to bring with me? 

Nothing outside the ordinary! You need to be wearing comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. And you need to bring a packed lunch (water and snacks will be provided).

Can you take my child earlier than 9.30pm/stay later than 3.30pm? 

Sadly due to venue restrictions we can’t on this occasion, so drop off and pick up will be expected promptly at 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Will I get to keep what I make? 

Not the big builds – they’ll be too big so you’ll have to rely on your memories and the fab photographs we’ll be taking. You’ll get to keep your tool belt though, and some of the tools you make – some will get repurposed for other activities.

Do you know someone who would get a kick out of FixCamp but won’t have the chance? Or are you that person? APPLY NOW!

We want FixCamp to be a place for every kind of talent, including those who might not normally have the opportunity, maybe because of cost, maybe because of language, or perhaps their family is interested in other things.

We have both free and subsidised places to encourage young people with ideas and interest to attend. We’ve approached local schools to nominate, but we’re also happy to take applications and nominations direct.

We’ll be assessing these applications on a rolling basis and making offers right the way through til the end.

Here’s the application form to start the process: click here or get in touch if you have any questions.

FixCamp friends and supporters

with special thanks to… Maya Alvarado at Power Project, Liz Corbin at Materiom, the team at Remakery, Roberto Feo and Rosario Hurtado at El Ultimo Grito.

Fix Films

 

450 ingenious, generous and inspiring fixes – and counting

Telling stories is a key part of our learning approach; it encourages teams to really think about their process and decision making. And if they understand it, then they might just use the method again. If you’ve made a Fix Film, share it with us here.

We now host over 400 Fix Films showing ingenious, generous and inspiring fixes from Fixperts projects. They’ve been viewed over 500,000 times – for good reason too. See what we’re talking about below.

 

Fixperts – Learning to solve problems

Fixperts is a learning programme that challenges young people to use their imagination and skills to create ingenious solutions to everyday problems for a real person. In the process they develop a host of valuable transferable skills from prototyping to collaboration.

Fixperts offers a range of teaching formats to suit schools and universities, from hour-long workshops, to a term-long project, relevant to any creative design, engineering and STEM/STEAM studies.

Got 2 minutes? Watch our intro film

Access our FREE teaching resources and join the global Fixperts community

We offer free resources to run a one off project at your school or university or a range of packages to develop Fixperts in your institution.

Fixperts offers a range of teaching resources through 6 stages.

Know someone who might be interested in teaching Fixperts? Share this page!

Fixperts teacher training

What is Fixperts?

Fixperts is a simple framework for teaching a human-centred design process in schools and universities. We provide teaching resources and training to enable educators worldwide to take advantage of its compelling nature.

  • Run in 30+ universities worldwide

  • Central to a Level 1/2 STEM Technical Award in English schools

  • Aligned with Design & Technology curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 in English schools (ages 12-16). Download our ‘Fixperts for…’ guide to see how Fixperts links to D&T, STEM, Science, Maker Mindset and Life Skills.

  • Winner of the international Blueprint Award for Design 2016

  • Rich archive of 400+ Fixperts films viewed over 500,000 times

  • Free basic materials

  • Structured as a non-profit organisation

Why is Fixperts popular?

Fixperts appeals to anyone who is looking for purpose and meaning in the application of their creativity and skills – that means most people!

Educators like Fixperts because it’s:

  • Open/free

  • Versatile: flexible and scalable

  • Proven

  • Connected

Learners like Fixperts because it’s:

  • Engaging

  • Applied

  • Shareable

  • Collaborative

We have been developing our Fixperts programme in schools since 2016. A Fixperts project offers students the opportunity to engage with problems taken from the world around them and work in teams to research and develop solutions, sketch out ideas, model prototypes, and make a final product.

Fixperts integrates design & technology, engineering thinking and practical making skills and allows students to develop their creative skills through hands on model making whilst learning to improve their ideas through feedback. Most importantly students develop their creative problem solving skills through identifying, analysing and experiencing real problems seen in the world.

“…a compelling learning experience. They ALL wanted to improve on their work the next day.”

Teacher, King’s College School, Wimbledon

Over 25 universities around the world run Fixperts and engage their students by working with real people and real needs. More than half have included it as part of their assessed curriculum.

Fixperts has worked with universities all over the world to instil the next generation of makers with the desire and tools to design for social good.

A Fixperts project asks students to explore the world outside of their classroom walls in order to find people with problems worth fixing. Using their ingenious design, prototyping and making skills, they create solutions that make everyday life a little better for their Fix Partners.

“The eye-level communication with the user is really valuable. You learn a lot about how to communicate with the person you are designing for. This is not so common in other parts of the course.”

Fixperts student

Anyone with imagination and a basic level of making skills can take up the Fixperts challenge. The guidelines are free and all you have to do is put your team together.

How Fixperts works

Excite creative people with making skills to fix things for others …

Fixperts embark on a process which engages all their creativity and resourcefulness.

… make a film about it …

The process includes making a film that documents the process from start to fixed.

Download the Fixperts logo to use within your Fix Film!

Then send it to us using this form.

… and inspire others to do the same.

People might become Fixperts themselves, or maybe they’ll be inspired to solve the next problem they find.

Got it? Good. Now watch some FixFilms!

Press

Building a Radical Vision for the Future of Design and Making in Schools

Back in June we had a bit of a rant about the future of design and making in schools. It was a relief to share, and the list was long: our reluctance to advocate for D&T, our utter boredom with the STEM/STEAM polarisation, our anxiety about design as it plots its own dive between the stools of arts and expressive creativity and the strength of the STEM focus.

In the best Fixperts spirit, rather than wringing our hands, we decided to start something. We decided that alongside our work to support creative problem solving in schools, we’d start to imagine radical alternatives. So less than 6 months later, we’ve put together a programme of activities which invites experts, radicals and dreamers to help each other imagine a future, where the fertile creative connections between design, engineering, technology are nurtured and not sidelined.

We started with a huddle, as all the best plots do, and on Monday 23rd September we invited an eclectic and unwieldy group around to ours to see if we have a strong enough foundation, and if we could find some allies.

It was a blast. Over the next weeks we’ll be sharing some of what was said and starting to build our plans to continue the conversation in 2020 with something like a summit and something like a book. If you’re interested in being part of this conversation get in touch.

Versatile and Scalable Learning Formats

As well as Fixperts for universities and schools, we’ve created FixHubs and Festivals of Fixing, we’ve explored the Future of Fixing through an exhibition seen by over 100,000 people in 3 countries and popped-up in museums, factories and online.

We’re not obsessed, honest! We’ve just found the idea of fixing to link ideas across design, engineering and technology, to be accessible across countries and generations and, most of all, to be relevant to the age we live in. Let’s fix this thing!

Fixperts

Fixperts is an education programme which challenges students to create ingenious solutions to everyday problems. In the process they develop a host of valuable transferable skills from prototyping to collaboration – it’s great fun too! Fixperts runs in over 30 universities world-wide and is growing in schools.

“An inspiring and practical session. The workshop helped me re-evaluate how I teach the design process and I will definitely be using Fixperts’ techniques with all age groups.” 

Teacher, Bradley Stoke Community School, Bristol

Lead the child to construct for himself the tools that will transform him from the inside—that is, in a real sense, and not just on the surface.

Jean Piaget

FixCamp

FixCamp is a design and engineering activity camp for the problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Our first prototype for this all new format took place in Brixton, South London during the summer of 2018: for 15 days the engineers, designers and thinkers of tomorrow tackled big issues and built big.

Kids and their parents went crazy for FixCamp. The big question was and is: are we doing it again? If your school, university or company is interested in what happens next then get in touch!

Big ideas!

We take visible issues from day to day life, and think about what they mean, from ageing population to new methods of manufacturing.

Acting locally, thinking globally!

Being proactive is important, being prosocial is critical.

Skills for the future

Our work is driven by the amazing accessibility of new technology; the skills we offer are technical, creative and critical. The decision of what to make is as important as being able to do it.

Learning through making

Making is a way of thinking; through making things real our young Fixperts understand their power in how to change the world around them.

FixEd Membership

We have different packages to ensure that you get access to the connections, content and programmes you need.

What do we offer?

  • Network: by signing up you become a member of FixEd community

  • Resources: presentations, session warm-ups and printable templates

  • Support: from information and advice to bespoke content for your specific context

  • Training: FixEd offers online and in-depth training depending on your requirements

Who is it for?

  • Individuals

  • Primary and Secondary Schools

  • Universities

  • Organisations

Because The World Needs Fixing

FixEd is the think-and-do tank concerned with inspiring and equipping creative, ingenious and generous problem-solvers around the world (especially, though not exclusively, Fixperts).

We support educators and organisations to engage and motivate learners through our popular, award-winning learning programmes for schools and universities. Our research programme connects you to current ideas and approaches and the type of 21st-century skills that young people need.

Award-winning, classroom ready teaching resources

We’re helping build the next generation of designers, engineers, inventors, technologists, artists, dreamers and change makers. We want to ensure their hands are skilled and their hearts and minds are engaged.

Creating new formats and options in response to changing needs

Our interest in research isn’t abstract or theoretical. We’re skilled in analysing and using research to inform programmes and anticipate change – considering alternatives and keeping one step ahead.

Learning to solve problems

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after difficulty; it’s a necessary foundation for any successful creative endeavour. Fixperts build resilience through fruitful failure.

Building social connections

Each Fixperts project is made real – whether with sticky tape or a 3-d printer – and builds skills. But the exceptional power of the project is rooted in the human connections between Fixperts and Fix Partner.

Tested as effective across design, engineering and STEM/STEAM

Innovation relies on the ability to imagine alternatives. We imagine a generation that see the journey from problem to solution as an adventure.

Connecting imagination with skills

Sharing ideas and exchanging know-how openly can help speed change and innovation. When this means sharing inspiration, ideas and know-how that improve peoples lives, we’re all for it.

Team

Team FixEd draws together incredible expertise, from education and informal learning, the creative and cultural industries and beyond. We’ve worked in schools and universities, museums and galleries, design studios and makerspaces. We’re united by our interest and intent: we want to make a concrete difference to people’s lives.

Daniel Charny

Co-founder and Creative Director

Professor of Design, industrial designer, one-man evangelist for the importance of making in our future lives, Fixperts was borne out of Daniel’s frustration with design and engineering students lacking basic understanding of materials, processes and people. Daniel’s commitment to the importance of linking imagination with skills, and ideas with hands-on experimentation, has powered his activity as a design educator, curator and consultant. Daniel is our creative coach and international ambassador. 

Dee Halligan

Co-founder and Managing Director

Dee has taken the promise of Fixperts into a new phase with the founding of FixEd. A seasoned strategist and senior manager for the big cultural players who engage the public imagination, such as the Science Museum and the National Trust, her focus is laser sharp: to deliver real value and make real impact. Sounds simple! Under her direction we’ve set the ambition high and are clear about the path ahead. Broad appeal and a sustainable future await.  

Lea Jagendorf

Schools Associate

Lea is an evangelical design educator who has deep experience of devising and delivering interesting, engaging and innovative ways of making design a relevant and exciting part of learning in schools.

Minnie Young

Schools Associate

Minnie (or Ms Young to you) is an experienced school teacher and head of department, who we’ve enticed away from her classroom and into our creative studio. Minnie leads on our teaching resources and teacher training offer.

Amy Bicknell

Communications Associate

Amy is a communications and partnerships expert. Her arrival to the project has ushered in a new era as the project grows up and scales to reach more young people and school children. 

Maya Alvarado

Fixperts facilitator

Maya’s grown with us as an organisation. She did Fixperts as a design student, became the first Fixpert-in-residence at Benchmark Furniture and now brings all that experience to facilitating Fixperts in universities and schools.

Gareth Owen Lloyd

Fixperts facilitator

Gareth is the equivalent of a Multi-Tool if it were ever to become a person. He was head of making at FixCamp and when he is not teaching, making, organising or building he runs Machines Room, a maker space in London. 

Koby Barhad

Voluntary advisor (graphics)

Koby is an adventurous communication designer whose willingness to exchange his skills for little beyond the feel-good factor got us through the early days of Fixperts development. His interest, generosity and ‘always on’ working style are an inspiration.

Jim Rhodes

Voluntary advisor (digital)

Jim is an interaction designer, web developer and now entrepreneur (Joto Rocks!) When he was less successful he made sure that Fixperts had an online life way beyond its means. Now he’s our top go-to for guidance on all things digital.

Georgia Cottington

Digital archive research volunteer

Georgia discovered Fixperts while researching maker culture and mental health. She is studying Product Design at the Royal College of Art.

Claudia Espart Hernandez  

Digital archive research volunteer

Claudia got in touch with us after a Fixperts talk at LCC where she is a Diploma and Professional Studies student. Claudia is a kind of visual media explorer deeply interested in how cultures mix in our ever changing world. 

James Carrigan

Co-originator – Fixperts

Daniel and James originated Fixperts together in 2012 when they commissioned the first 5 films. James’ energy and drive in the pilot and launch stages were key to the dynamic character of the project. He is our greatest conspirator and relentless ambassador. James is the co-founder of the wonderful Sugru.

Expert volunteers, alumni and early stage collaborators

Alon Meron, Freddie Yauner, Lara Miranda Muchin, Nat Hunter, Rebecca Davies, Ruby Steel, Grace Bremner, Emily Ballard, Caz Owen, Sally Spurring have all helped us on our way.

Project and event volunteers

Can-doers

Charley Pothecary, Jake Rich, Joe Sanchez, Lucy Barouillet, Yariv Ziv, Rachael Holmes and Nola Charny have all contributed what they could when they could. Maybe your name could be here? If so get in touch!

Fixperts supporters and friends

Ami_Dedication

Fixperts is dedicated to Ami Drach

(1963-2012)

An inventive maker, Professor Ami Drach exemplified the social, technical and creative values that this project is all about. Always ready to apply his ingenuity to improvise and fix things, his unparalleled openness, kindness and generosity brought a deep empathy to every interaction.

Design Students Lack Workplace Skills

Creative agency Michon’s Designing the Future report has been released, finding that graduates lack management skills, universities aren’t preparing students enough and designers should step in and share their insights. An interesting read, though some of it resonates with us, we found it the focus on work-readiness for design graduates who might have 5 careers in their lifetimea bit short term.