Ms Diane Simpson-Little
| Post: | Honorary Senior Lecturer (Engineering and Design) |
| Location: | RICHMOND 4B13/14 |
| Email: | D.Simpson-Little@sussex.ac.uk |
Biography
Diane is an artist, designer and creative educator with a broad range of skills and experience across key areas of design.
Her background is that of a practicing designer who having first graduated with a first class honours degree in 3D design went on to complete a Masters from the Royal College of Art. She established her first business partnership and studio in Herne Hill, South East London, which enabled her to accumulate an enormous variety of experience in a diverse range of disciplines. Prior to this she worked as a designer at several leading advertising agencies. Diane is currently the Head of the Product Design Degrees at the ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ and this experience in the working environment and as a creative educator means Diane brings a rich diversity of skills and expertise to the product design course.
Her present research is practice based and involves investigation into contemplative pedagogy to enhance creativity, attention and effectiveness. She facilitates creative interactive workshops, which are in high demand, subjects range from entrepreneurship and creative business development, to visualization, imagination and mindfulness as material for design. She is a highly sort after consultant in the toy and game industry, providing workshops and speaking engagements. Students she has mentored have not only have gone on to high profile industry positions but also won a variety of awards across product design and toy and game design.
Her publications explore and contribute to the fields of innovation and creative exploration techniques and range from subjects such as contemplative pedagogy, creative learning environments and embodied empathic design. Diane has taught at The Royal College of Art and Central St. Martins School of Art. She continues to engage industry professionals in both her education and her personal practice.
Role
Course convenor for the BSc Product Design Degree