Design Museum Academy Adult workshop
Workshop: Introduction to Woodwork
Join this two-day workshop to explore wood as a creative material through drawing and hands-on making. Inspired by designer Simone Brewster's practice, this course will focus on how designers work with form, proportion and surface to create expressive objects.
Priority booking for members.
What to expect
This creative workshop will focus on process, how ideas can be developed through making, and how working directly with material can influence design decisions.
The first day of the course will take place at the Design Museum and include a visit to Simone Brewster's PLATFORM display for a closer look at exhibits and exploring ideas through sketching and simple design exercises. You will identify and study particular elements in Brewster’s pieces, such as silhouette, curve, rhythm or surface quality, and use these as a starting point for your own ideas.
The second day of the course will take place at Morley College’s Chelsea Centre for Creative Industries, where you will translate your ideas into a small wooden design maquette. Working from a pre-prepared timber blank, you will shape and refine your form using hand tools such as chisels, rasps, spokeshaves and block planes.
Learning outcomes:
Develop observational skills through sketching and analysing objects in a museum context
Understand how designers translate ideas into form through drawing, modelling and making
Learn about wood as a design material, including grain direction and surface qualities
Learn how to use basic woodworking hand tools safely
Gain confidence experimenting with materials and developing your own creative responses
This course is suitable for beginners and open to all; no prior experience in design or woodworking is required.
Please note:
All equipment and materials will be provided for the duration of the course
Capacity is limited, and we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment
This workshop is suitable for adults 18+
Photos by Morley College
Additional information
This workshop is for participants aged 18 and over, and the content has been designed with adult learners in mind.
If there’s anything we can do to help you take part, whether it’s around mobility, sensory access, mental health, communication preferences, or anything else, you’re welcome to share this with us at ticket checkout. This is entirely optional, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
This event is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access throughout the museum.
You're also welcome to bring a companion if you'd benefit from 1:1 support during the workshop. Companion places are free; please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org with your booking information so we can reserve your spot.
This session is led by up to 2 facilitators and has a capacity of 15 participants.
If you have any questions, or would prefer to chat to someone directly, get in touch with us at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org.
Facilitator
David Beirne
David is a designer whose practice bridges contemporary design with both emerging and traditional craft disciplines. He works between digital processes and hands-on making, with a focus on fine woodworking and narrative-driven design. As co-founder of studio Bright Potato, his work combines storytelling with precision and material sensitivity. Alongside his studio practice, he leads woodworking workshops that introduce participants to tools and design thinking through accessible, project-led experiences.
Book online
Booking information
Adult: £192
Adult Early bird: £173
Student (18+): £173 Student Early bird: £156
Members*: £154
*Please note that this benefit applies only to the cardholding Member’s ticket and not to those of additional guests
Early bird tickets are available until 3 weeks before the workshop.
• Suitable age range: 18+
Check out the Design Museum Academy refunds and cancellations policy here.
Booking information for Members:
Please note that we have a new booking system. All Members must now log in to the ticketing platform to book tickets for upcoming events. How to book:
Click 'Book now’, and this will take you to our new booking platform
You will be prompted to log in or create an account to complete your booking. Please use the email address registered with your Membership to access Members' discounts and exclusive Members' events
Choose an event from the drop-down list
Select the desired tickets, dates and sessions and add them to the cart
Follow the instructions for checkout and payment
You will automatically receive an order confirmation email with the details of your booking, along with a PDF with your ticket
Members don’t need to book tickets for exhibitions and can continue to present their Digital Membership Cards to access exhibitions
If you have any issues, please contact the team at membership@designmuseum.org
For non-members ticketing enquiries, please contact bookings@designmuseum.org
In collaboration with Morley College Chelsea Centre for Creative Industries
A unique space that supports creative minds in finding a voice of their own. We’re a specialist centre dedicated to the development of Arts, Design, Media and Technology practice, as well as supporting our English, Maths and ESOL students. We deliver education programmes that meet the needs of both school/college leavers and adults seeking qualifications or a creative experience.
Related display
Background image: © Morley College.