Design for Development MA: What our students say

Student profiles

Don't just take our word for it – here's what some of our current and recent students say about what it's like to study at Kingston.

Student Hannah Padgett talks about the course and how her new skills will help her in the future:

Present activities:

Hannah Padgett is a project co-ordinator for Uscreates. She manages logistics and the recruitment of participants and builds relationships with volunteers, as well as assisting on other projects. Uscreates is a social change agency with a mission to develop effective ways to respond to these social challenges. They work in "a collaborative way bringing together the people, organisations and issues involved to ensure ownership and power over the outcomes. This leads to more sustained and cost effective change. Their vision is to transform our practical experience from working locally on the ground into learning which can inform policy at all levels."

Hannah's LinkedIn profile.

Name: Rao Qingfang
Course: Design for Development MA (Audi Design Foundation Scholar)

"One of the most important benefits of this course is that it builds on your previous design background, adding the sustainability advantage. You will be inspired by lectures from eminent designers and tutors. You will meet fellow students from all over the world with different backgrounds.

The experience of using design approaches to solve complex sustainable problems is challenging, but I feel extremely motivated by working and discussing with like-minded people. Their different ideas and approaches are invaluable to my projects and life in the future. The course has not only shown me the big picture of design and development, but also helped me develop a more holistic way of thinking.

Studying at Kingston University has also provided me the chance to join some of the best design events and exhibitions in London. This has let me see diverse possibilities and grow my own ideas. I believe the intensive study is helping me to broaden my design vision, knowledge and practices, and prepare me as a designer ready to solve real-world problems."

Present activities

Rao Qingfang is presently a Researcher (Communications and Sustainability) on the Chongming Sustainable Community Project in Shanghai. This project is based at Studio TAO, an urban design think and action tank for research in practice. This initiative involves the local government of Chongming Island, village communities, business partners and university resources to form a network of stakeholders. The project explores the relationship between the urban centre of Shanghai and rural villages on nearby Chongming Island, considering the "urban and rural as a complementary yin yang relationship to maintain identity but promote exchanges of resources. The aim of this initiative is to improvement the daily life of the communities by creating an urban-rural network of sub-projects. The initiative is a pilot project for the DESIS-China Network (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability).

Name: Liani Van der Westhuizen
Course: Design for Development MA (Audi Design Foundation Scholar)

"The MA Design for Development gave me the skills I needed to connect designers with communities in need, and to address development issues using the design process as a problem solving tool. It also allowed me to hone my skills and amplify my awareness so that now I feel prepared to lay out innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

Value-driven designers need networks and support mechanisms in the design industry in order to share their ideas and work more effectively in support of the ideals in which they believe. Kingston University presented me with enough exposure in a dynamic international environment to broaden my horizons, and develop the necessary skills, experience and spirit to achieve these goals."