Think Up is the educational arm of the Useful Simple Trust. Our aim is to “Blaze a trail in education for the human environment”
We are specialists in creating design-led educational and training programmes and teaching materials. Think Up is primarily made up of designers. We collaborate with industry experts to develop the educational content of our products while using our design expertise to pioneer innovative products that can be adapted to the needs of trainees.
Think Up is formed of a number of Associates who between them have expertise and a proven track record in delivering training programmes in areas as diverse as construction and the built environment through to textile design, project administration through to practical creativity. The company was founded by Royal Designer Chris Wise and Ed McCann, two engineering designers who have challenged their students and themselves through educational projects since they met and taught together at Imperial College in the late 90’s. Among their work together is the award-winning Constructionarium, co-direction of the Royal Designers Summer School, and many design workshops.
It is because we are designers that we are particularly effective at prototyping our ideas – constant assessment and redesign are key parts to the design process – which makes us particularly good at experimenting with new concepts. We have a history of pioneering new teaching programmes, adapting the method and changing the content as a function of how it is received. We develop our prototypes to the point at which they can be rolled out on a much larger scale.
We aim always to deliver personal and group education that is truly transformational. Whether through workshops, lectures or television and media; be it aimed at school children or business leaders; Think Up gives direct access to some of the most challenging educational and design thinking around.
Oliver Broadbent
Director
Oli is a bright young thing and a bit of a Polymath with degrees in Chemistry from Oxford and Civil Engineering from Imperial College. Having been an engineer at Expedition, he now runs Think Up, heading up their educational program development. Oli has a keen interest in media and communications and is both an enthusiastic blogger and amateur filmmaker.
Sophie Thomas
Associate
A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Sophie runs thomas.matthews an award winning and successful communication design business. She has taught graphic design at the University of Brighton and lectured on the ethics of design. She was a co-founder of Greengaged a highly successful program designed to educate designers about sustainability and is a Trustee of the UK Design Council. One of Design Week’s “Hot 50” in 2008.
Diana McCann
Associate
Diana is an independent Consultant and has worked for over 25 years in adult education and training. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Occupational Psychology. She is a highly regarded both for her course design and delivery skills and provides the Think Up team with the specialist educational knowledge and expertise that they need.
Sheila Hoile
Associate
A former Director of both CITB-Construction Skills and the Construction Industry Council, Sheila specialises in developing and delivering skills strategies at national, regional and sectoral level. She is currently director of Hoile Associates and is a visiting professor to the School of the Built Environment and the University of Salford. Recognised throughout her career for ground-breaking achievements at national level, she is a natural at bringing people together to develop powerful relationships and long-term networks.
Chris Wise RDI
Co-founder
Chris is an inveterate optimist, a terminally-dissatisfied idealist, and a multiple award-winning engineer of international standing. He was the first Professor of Creative Design at Imperial College, as well Master of the Royal Designers for Industry 2007-2009. He is co-director of the Royal Designers Summer School. With Ed McCann, he conceived the pioneering Constructionarium. He has made several TV programs rebuilding and testing ancient technological marvels, and is fast becoming one himself.
Georgina Von Etzdorf RDI
Associate
Internationally known for her fabric and clothing design Georgina is also committed to helping people better understand and learn about design. To this end she has developed and delivers workshops for groups of children and adults directed at releasing their creative potential through making stuff from rather surprising bits and pieces. Hugely enthusiastic, a natural source of encouragement, and a great proponent of colour, texture, and the ukulele.
Ed McCann
Co-founder
Ed is best described as large, loud and, on occasion, insightful. Co-founder of Think Up with Chris and co-director of the Royal Designers Summer School. Ed is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. More recently, the story-telling blarney of his Irish roots has given him a feature role in television documentaries on everything engineering from the Industrial Revolution to the Pyramids.
Timothy O’Brien RDI
Associate
A Theatre Designer with a particular interest in design education. Tim’s collaborations go back to Samuel Beckett and the Royal Court in the 60’s and beyond. As an educational philosopher and Master of the Royal Designers for Industry he started their Summer School and directed it for its first 3 years. Between trips to Lisbon working on Wagner’s Ring at Teatro Sao Carlos, he shares responsibility for the Expedition Think Up programme.
Julia Ratcliffe
Associate
As well as a highly successful career as a structural engineer Julia maintains an active involvement in educational activities. She has acted as a Studio Critic at the Architectural Association and visiting Tutor at the University of Leeds and at several universities in the US. She has a particular interest in international development and with Ed McCann is developing the Kenya Playground Project for Save the Children.