u-create is a fantastic opportunity that will challenge you to combine creativity with enterprise.
The design, make and sell challenge
Participants will be placed in teams and given a design brief. Over two days, they will brainstorm, research and pitch their concepts. Successful teams will get the opportunity to take their designs to the next level – manufacture and launch to market.
Design
February 9th–10th
Two day bootcamp to take you from ideas to concept
Make
February 11th–March 1st
Commission the manufacturing of your products
Sell
March 2nd–3rd
Two days to sell your products at selected locations across London
Awards evening March 4th
Open to select London universities with limited places available – places will be allocated on a first come first serve so don’t miss out.
Places are limited, so book it now
Design Make Sell is a unique programme that provides any student looking for a practical ‘real life’ experience to gain new skills and develop their competencies around entrepreneurship, innovation and creative practice.
Students should complete the programme with the following set of skills and experience:
- Pitching
- Negotiation
- Business ideas generation
- Marketing
- Experience of producing quality items on a deadline
- Team working and collaboration
- Market research
- Sourcing and negotiation with manufacturers
- Business finance management
- Customer relations
We asked students why they’ve signed up for the programme and what they hope to gain - here’s what some of them said:
‘I am an individual who is inspired by entrepreneurial activity and this motivates me to participate in ventures that I think will develop my skills and amplify my abilities. I think that taking part in U-create will test my creative and managerial skills in a medium that simulates real life business operation that most university coursework lacks. Ultimately, I wish to come out of this programme with a prototype or blueprint for a conventional consumer product, and if not then I would have gained a better understanding of business operations.’
‘I hope to take part in the Design Make Sell programme to fulfil a dream of creating my own product. I have always enjoyed working in business development and have often dreamed about one day making and selling my own brand of product. I hope that this programme will help me to do just that or at least practice so that the whole process seems closer to real life than just a dream.’
‘I have always been intrigued about producing a product and bringing it to market; I would want to confirm that I have what it takes.’
‘Skill is not the only requirement for achieving success, I believe that passion enables an individual to learn, which then leads them to success. I know that by attending "Design Make Sell", I will meet more people that will inspire me, gaining knowledge from other design professionals/students will increase my passion for design and will bring the best out of me. I want to counter the challenges from the "Design Make Sell" event, as those will give me a taste of the challenges professional designers face in the "real world".’
‘I've been working in Technology for more than ten years but I decided to go back to school and study for an MBA in London. Entrepreneurship is a big draw for me. It's hard to balance the need for being creative and trying to succeed on my own two legs with the need for a stable job and recognition that a famous employer brings.
‘I decided to join the Design Make Sell programme hoping that this experience might make me feel more secure about my chances of becoming a real entrepreneur.’
‘Having previously worked at a toy design company, I've gained a new perspective on the complexities of product design, as well as an appreciation for the teamwork it takes to create a successful product. Hence, the concept of making and selling a brand-new idea on a tight deadline appeals to me in both its simplicity and its creative potential. I look forward to working with my team to come up with something both elegant and functional.’
