SMASHfestUK Participatory Development 2014-15
by WynGriff
Co-design workshops, projects and live events preceded the launch of the first full SMASHfestUK in 2015.
The team worked with the local community groups, young people, scientists, engineers, artists, designers and media specialists to co-create a meaningful vision, driving principles, process, content and manifestation for the SMASHfestUK programme.
We worked hard to gather a vibrant, and diverse collaborative group. They included:
Lewisham Young Advisors Group,
Lewisham Homes,
The Stephen Lawrence Centre,
Trans-media specialist Yomi Ayeni,
Scientists and Science Communicators Dr Suze Kundu and Prof Monica Grady,
Young people (aged 14-16) and parents from Tottenham,
Tottenham University Training College,
redLoop: the mdx design and innovation centre,
Middlesex University Product Design, Product Design Engineering, Design Engineering, Robotics, Mathematics and Sport Science students and staff.
This group worked through workshops, design jams and live prototypes, culminating in SMASHfestUK 0.1, our first fully live mini-festival prototype at TUTC, testing the premise, delivery and some content before the launch of SMASHfestUK 2015 'Asteroid'.
The programme was conceived and the development work was led by Dr Lindsay Keith, of science media company The Refinery, and Wyn Griffiths of Middlesex University Product Design and Engineering.
