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Innovation Studio

Industry-engagement and our strong maker culture puts collaboration at the heart of everything we do.

Associate Programme

Our six-month Associate Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio to regional businesses seeking research and development support. You and your staff will have access to our resources, along with a programme of executive-level workshops, ideal for upskilling.

We particularly welcome enquiries from businesses that wish to collaborate and create value with us through research, knowledge exchange and learning enrichment activities.

Get in touch with us for more information and to see if your business is eligible to join the programme.

Benefits of joining the Associate Programme

As an Associate Partner you'll have access to:

  • AUB's in-house Lab 4 Creative Technologies and industry-standard resources to test concepts and create prototypes
  • Executive masterclasses to enhance your skills, try the latest industry technology, and experiment with new ways of working
  • Free open lectures and events exploring a range of thought-provoking and specialist topics
  • Expertise of our talented technicians and academic practitioners
  • Collaborative opportunities and live briefs

Collaborate with us on a live brief

During your six-month partnership with AUB we welcome and encourage you to get involved with the wider AUB community and collaborate with us.

Many of our courses include within their curriculum opportunities for industry live brief projects. These are projects set by a business for students to problem-solve and produce professional outcomes to a deadline. Previous live brief collaborations have included Thinking Juice and BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Foster and Partners and BA (Hons) Modelmaking, RNLI and BA (Hons) Fashion and Sling Studio.

We offer placements and internships for students and also an industry secondment scheme for our staff to work with businesses on live projects.

Live brief projects usually take place within the first academic term and can be arranged by contacting us.

Executive masterclasses

As an Associate partner your staff can access free executive masterclasses in design and creative technology. Explore some of the courses we offer below.

Person wearing VR headset creating art

Introduction to Design in VR using Gravity Sketch

Upskill and enhance your design skills with this introductory Executive Education course using VR and Gravity Sketch...

Two people looking at a computer displaying a 3D body scan

Introduction to Body Scanning and CLO 3D

On this executive education course you'll learn how to use a body scanner and design bespoke clothes in CLO 3D to fit your model perfectly.

Student using VR equipment to produce 3D models

3D Modelling in VR using Gravity Sketch

Enhance your design skills and product development capabilities with this advanced 3D modelling course using VR and Gravity Sketch...

Render of a glass-fronted building using software Twin Motion

Twin Motion

Transform your existing architecture and/or interior design skills with this Executive Education course using Twin Motion...

Meet our Associate Partners

Logo of brand Sunseeker

Sunseeker

As fellow makers, British luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker shares AUB’s vision of developing solutions through collaboration.

Lush logo

Lush

As fellow innovators, Lush shares AUB’s vision of discovering new ways to create new products and push the boundaries of design...

Logo of brand Tricuro - turquoise heart with Tricuro in text in the centre

Tricuro

Tricuro is an Associate Partner, combining innovation and technology to enhance its service offer to provide personalised care and support.

Aetha Studio Design Logo

Aetha Design Studio

As fellow designers, Aetha Design Studio shares AUB’s vision of developing solutions through innovation and challenging 'normal' approaches.

Shore Architecture Logo

Shore Architecture

As fellow designers, Shore Architecture shares AUB’s ethos of design-led, innovative ideas to explore all possible solutions.

Etch Logo

Etch

As fellow collaborators, Etch challenges the status quo and actively seeks to find innovative and smarter ways of working together.

Explore the Innovation Studio

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an exterior wall with two reverse-L shaped windows and three semi-circle panels visible. A person walks past towards the right.

Overview

The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies, a nucleus for start-ups and enterprises, and an industry engagement hub.
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Projects

Take a look at some of our recent collaborative projects with external partners and businesses
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Collaborate with us

There are many ways to work with us – we can give you access to our equipment and expertise
People gathering around a table with models and photographs

Residency Programme

Our Residency Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio individuals, start-ups and SMEs developing new products or services.
Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an interior space, with several people sat working at tables. A rectangle-shaped railing is in the middle of the room.

Industry-standard resources

The Innovation Studio features state-of-the-art equipment and digital resources, and the latest manufacturing technology.