DESIGN MUSEUM ACADEMY Young people workshop
Design Camp: Stop Motion with Clay for 11 to 14 year olds
This hands-on workshop for young people introduces the meticulous world of film director Wes Anderson through stop-motion animation, using clay to design puppets, build sets, and create original stories.
Priority booking for members.
What to expect
In this immersive workshop, young people will learn cinematic techniques and bring miniature worlds to life through playful, hands-on filmmaking.
Participants will explore the fundamentals of stop motion animation, taking inspiration from Wes Anderson's iconic film 'Isle of Dogs' as a reference, and learn how to plan narratives, develop characters, and construct miniature environments.
The workshop focuses on design thinking and collaborative storytelling, helping participants develop creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. No previous experience is required, just curiosity and imagination.
By the end of the session, each participant will leave with their character sketches, handmade clay models, and a stop motion short film of their own.
Please note:
This workshop is suitable for young people aged 11–14. All participants must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. You can find additional information in the sections below
Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment
All equipment and materials will be provided, but participants will need to bring a packed lunch
Photo © Animating Education
Photo © Animating Education
Photo © Animating Education
Photo © Animating Education
Photo © Animating Education
Wes Anderson: The Archives. Isle of Dogs puppets. Photo © Luke Hayes
Facilitators
Sophie Burrows
Sophie is a film and animation practitioner with over fifteen years of experience teaching young people and adults. She holds a BA in Film and an MA in Animation, which shape her hands on approach to storytelling and stopmotion. Sophie has worked with organisations including the BFI and Northampton University, focusing on making animation accessible, creative, and engaging. She inspires participants to develop technical skills, creativity, and confidence while bringing their own stories to life.
Lucy Whitehead
Lucy is a film and animation facilitator with more than sixteen years of experience in education and creative projects. She studied film and media at Sheffield Hallam University which inform her practical, playful teaching style. Lucy delivers engaging animation workshops for children and young people, helping them develop storytelling, character creation, and stop motion skills. She co-founded Animating Education to nurture creativity and empower the next generation of filmmakers.
Book Online
Booking information
Young person: £81
Young person (Early bird): £73
Members*: £65
Early bird until 26 January 2026.
Check the Design Museum Academy refunds and cancellations policy.
*Information on Design Camp tickets for Members:
• Membership Plus and Family members
The member’s discount applies to up to 3 Child or Young person’s tickets.
• Access, Student, Individual, and Members & Guest members
The member’s discount applies to 1 Child or Young person’s ticket only.
• Requests for Carer tickets for Design Camps: Please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org in advance if your child needs additional support.
Additional information
All participants must be dropped off and picked up by a parent, carer or responsible adult. A member of our team will greet you on arrival and sign participants in
We ask all bookers to provide an emergency contact name and number. Please ensure this person is available for the duration of the session
The workshop content is tailored to a specific age group. Participants outside the advertised age range may find the session less accessible or engaging
If there’s anything we can do to support your child’s participation, whether around mobility, communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation or anything else, you’re welcome to let us know at checkout. Sharing access needs is entirely optional and helps us prepare the session in the most inclusive way
This session has capacity for up to 20 participants, led by one or two facilitators, with a typical adult-to-child ratio of 1:10
If your child receives additional support in their education setting, you are welcome to bring a supporting adult with them at no extra cost. Please note that we are not able to provide one-to-one support ourselves
If you have any questions or want to discuss specific access requirements, please get in touch with the team at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org
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Background image: © Animating Education