Inside the Project: Inspiring the next generation to #ChooseD&T

Published 1st August 2025

Inspiring the next generation to #ChooseD&T

#ChooseD&T is a campaign by student Evelyn Flaskett, designed to spark curiosity in design and technology among 13–14-year-olds. Developed as part of a university project, it uses bold, imaginative visuals, like brain-inspired graphics and bus posters, to show how design shapes the world around us and to encourage more students to choose D&T at GCSE.
Listen to Evelyn talk about her project: https://youtu.be/DqJTooz0JD8

The thinking behind the campaign

Created during the Portfolio Masterclass unit, the campaign set out to tackle a real-world problem with a lasting solution. With D&T GCSE entries dropping by 68% across the UK (Hay, Todd, Dewfield, 2024), Evelyn’s research uncovered multiple challenges—ranging from funding and staffing to misconceptions about the subject. This project chose to focus on one key area where change could start: increasing visibility and engagement with students. You can download this article as a PDF below to keep or share with your department, and you’ll find more inspiring features like this in our latest issue of Designing:
Download and read Designing 131

Eye-catching design to drive conversation

At the heart of the campaign is a striking brain-inspired graphic symbolising how design and creative thinking influence every part of our lives.

• One side represents thinking – problem-solving, analysing and imagining.
• The other side symbolises design – shaping the world through ideas, systems and innovation.

This visual is used across campaign materials, including:

• Bus and bus shelter posters – placed in high-traffic student areas to boost exposure on everyday journeys.
• Inspirational quotes – such as “Make a difference.” to reinforce the campaign’s message.

A wider vision for the classroom and beyond

To extend the reach of the campaign, several opportunities were identified to embed the message deeper into student experiences:

• Social media content designed for TikTok, Instagram and X (Twitter)
• Custom merchandise such as stickers and keyrings
• Branded school resources to strengthen subconscious connections
• Workshops and events to immerse students in hands-on creativity

Research-driven, teacher-relevant

The campaign benefited from expert insight, including a one-to-one discussion with Tony Ryan and the book Getting Started With Design Thinking (Eveline Van Zeeland, 2023), which helped shape the methodology behind #ChooseD&T.

It’s a campaign grounded in research and designed to help teachers showcase the true value of D&T—not just as a subject, but as a life skill. Further reading: Getting Started With Design Thinking by Eveline Van Zeeland

Support your students to #ChooseD&T

By promoting campaigns like this, teachers can play a powerful role in changing perceptions of design and technology. #ChooseD&T is more than a slogan—it's an invitation for young people to see the potential of D&T and imagine their own role in shaping the future.