Royal Ballet and Opera Design Challenge Awards Day
Published 22nd June 2026
Insights from the awards day
Lol Conway, Curriculum and Professional Development Manager for the Design & Technology Association, attended last week’s Royal Ballet and Opera Design Challenge Awards Day and described the event as an inspiring celebration of creativity, innovation and young talent.
The Design Challenge is a national competition for Key Stage 5 students, giving young people the opportunity to work on a professional-style design brief inspired by a Royal Ballet and Opera production. Students can explore pathways including Set Design, Costume Design, Wigs, Hair and Makeup Design, and Marketing Design, while developing industry-relevant skills such as research, concept development, sketching, prototyping, presentation and creative problem-solving.
Bringing together students, teachers, industry professionals and supporters, the event celebrated the outstanding work produced throughout the challenge. Reflecting on the experience, Lol highlighted the impressive quality of the finalists’ work and the depth of thinking behind each response.
The creativity on display was outstanding, but what stood out most was seeing how students had engaged with the design process and responded thoughtfully to a live brief,” she said. “It was a powerful reminder of the impact authentic, industry-connected experiences can have on developing confidence, creativity and transferable skills.
Strengthening links between classroom learning and industry
For teachers, the event offered valuable insight into how real-world contexts can enrich learning and help students understand the breadth of opportunities available across the creative industries.
Lol’s key takeaway was the importance of creating opportunities that connect classroom learning with professional practice. Royal Ballet and Opera’s continued commitment to nurturing emerging talent demonstrates how meaningful design experiences can inspire the next generation and support students to see where their creativity could lead.
