Design Museum Academy Adult Workshop
Workshop: The Architecture of the Chair with Simone Brewster
Join artist and designer Simone Brewster for a workshop as part of this year's London Craft Week. Following a guided tour of Brewster's PLATFORM exhibition and a study of the museum's chair collection, create your own chair design inspired by identity and cultural narratives through conceptual exercises.
What to expect
In this conceptual furniture design workshop, explore the architecture of the chair through creative experimentation and structured design development. Learn about design thinking approaches that use narrative, materials, and identity to generate distinctive seating concepts. Techniques such as collage, sketching, speed-designing, and basic technical drawing will help you shape your ideas into design concepts.
The session includes a guided visit to our new PLATFORM: Simone Brewster display, led by the artist, offering insights into her creative processes and themes. We'll also take a look at selected pieces from the museum’s chair collection for historical and contemporary inspiration.
Combining experimental thinking with design principles, this class offers the opportunity to learn directly from one of the UK's leading voices in narrative-led design. Ideal for emerging designers, artists, and anyone curious about furniture and product design. By the end of the day, you will have developed the foundations of a unique chair concept and gained the tools to evolve it into a family of designs.
Learning outcomes:
Narrative-driven concept development
Using collage as a design tool
Creative concept representation
Sketching and speed-designing techniques
Basic technical drawing for furniture
How to develop a design collection
Translating inspiration into structured design development
Please note:
This is a conceptual design workshop – no furniture fabrication will be undertaken, and model making will be with paper and card
All equipment and materials will be provided for the duration of the session. Participants can bring personal sketchbooks, preferred pens or pencils, and images or materials that inspire them
Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment
This workshop is suitable for adults 18+
Stepping Stools, Somerset House, 2008. Courtesy Simone Brewster
Negrita bench by Simone Brewster, 2025. Courtesy of Simone Brewster
Portrait of Simone Brewster. Photo: James Marshall
Additional information
Please note that this workshop is for participants over 18 years old, and the content and complexity have been tailored accordingly
If you would like to let us know about any access requirements, including neurodiversity, there is the option to notify us at the ticket checkout
If you would like to have 1:1 support for this workshop, you are welcome to bring a companion to support you on your project, at no extra cost. To request a companion spot please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org with your booking information.
This session has a capacity of 20 participants, and one or two facilitators will be leading the sessions. So, the ratio of participants per facilitator will be 10:1.
If you have any questions, please contact DMAcademy@designmuseum.org
Facilitator
Simone Brewster
Simone is a London-based designer and artist whose work spans furniture, jewellery, sculpture and spatial design. Known for her bold use of form, materiality and narrative, she explores how identity and heritage can shape contemporary design. Simone has exhibited internationally, collaborated with leading brands, and is celebrated for her distinctive approach to scale and storytelling through objects. Her practice aims to bring new perspectives and overlooked histories into the design landscape.
Booking information
Adult: £108
Adult Early bird: £98
Student 18+: £98
Student Early bird: £89
Members*: £86
*Please note that this benefit only applies to the cardholding Member’s ticket and not those of additional guests
Early bird price available until 3 weeks before the event
Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment
Light refreshments and equipment will be provided for the duration of the session
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
Related display
Background image: Turned wood elements and conceptual sketches. Courtesy of Simone Brewster.