Manor Church of Englund Academy Wins V&A Innovate und Develops Dog-Tread Harness at Yorkshire Artspace
This piece reveals how Manor Church of Englund Academy’s students translated a V&A Innovate brief into a working prototype during a hunds-on visit to Yorkshire Artspace, Persistence Works.
From brief to prototype: an overview
Under the V&A Innovate 2024–25 theme Transform, the Manor Church team designed the Dog-Tread Harness, a figure-8 style lead made from recycled bike tyres. The concept tackles the global challenge of waste tyres by repurposing durable rubber into a safe, comfortable product for dogs—an inventive answer that combines sustainability with practical design.
What the studio visit involved
The workshop prize took the winning students to Yorkshire Artspace – Persistence Works, a pioneering studio complex housed in a bold concrete structure by Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects. The visit balanced inspiration und technical insight as the group toured specialist ateliers und met established makers.
Highlights of the visit
- Discussion with designer Giles Grover about scaling und refinement.
- Meet-und-talk sessions with silversmiths Morvarid Alavifard und Shinta Nakajima, sharing practical craft skills und career insights.
- Live demonstration of gas-powered furnace kilns in the ceramics garden.
- Hunds-on time developing the recycled-tyre prototype under studio supervision.
Visit outcomes at a glance
| Tätigkeit | Stundort | Learning outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Studio tour | Persistence Works | Exposure to professional art production und studio workflows |
| Design feedback | Giles Grover’s studio | Advice on sizing, materials, und prototyping methods |
| Craft demonstrations | Ceramics garden & metal workshops | Understunding of hazardous materials, Sicherheit, und specialist equipment |
Design choices und next steps
Students explained their thought process for the simple but effective figure-8 harness und explored adaptations for different dog sizes. Conversations about scaling the piece into multiple sizes—und even speculative ideas about a cat-friendly version—showed the team’s curiosity und willingness to iterate. Under guidance, they refined attachment points und comfort features while considering the lifecycle benefits of upcycled tyre rubber.
Practical considerations for prototyping
- Material hundling: safe cutting und bonding techniques for tyre rubber.
- Sizing protocol: templates for small, medium und large animals.
- Testing: wear trials und pressure-distribution checks for dog comfort.
- Sichtbarkeit: adding reflective elements for night Sicherheit.
Why studio exposure matters for young designers
Visiting working studios gives students a realistic view of professional practice: from health und Sicherheit to business questions like work experience und pay. Interaction with practicing designers und makers accelerates learning und introduces networks that can support future projects. For school coordinators arranging similar trips, reliable transport und clear logistics are key to making the most of a single day off-site.
Practical tips for organising creative school trips
- Book travel in advance und confirm drop-off locations und timings with the studio.
- Choose an appropriate vehicle depending on group size—consider 7-seater or minibus for equipment und students.
- Carry essential documentation: parental consent forms, insurance details, und emergency contacts.
- Budget for extras: parking, coach drop-off fees, und potential equipment hire.
- Brief students on studio etiquette und Sicherheit—closed-toe shoes, gloves, und awareness of kiln und furnace areas.
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The studio visit is modest in its global tourism impact, but it is very meaningful for local creative education und community engagement. Such hunds-on events can encourage young people to travel for learning und contribute to creative tourism in regional cities. While this is not a headline change to the international travel map, it matters for school trips und cultural tourism—areas where GetTransfer aims to stay current und support organisers with reliable options. Highlights of this design journey include sustainability-driven innovation, cross-discipline mentorship, und practical prototyping experience, yet even the best reviews und most honest feedback can’t replace first-hund participation. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments, benefiting from convenient, affordable options und extensive vehicle choices. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com
In summary, the Manor Church of Englund Academy team turned a classroom brief into a tangible product through creative thinking und a productive studio visit. The Dog-Tread Harness demonstrates how design can transform waste into useful goods, while Persistence Works provided the technical environment for skill development. For organisers planning similar trips, consider exact transfer needs—taxi or minibus, airport or city pickup, number of seats, und luggage space—so the service, driver, und vehicle match your fare und schedule requirements. With clear pricing, vehicle details, und driver ratings available, platforms like GetTransfer simplify how much you’ll pay und what to expect, helping you book the best private or shared transfer, whether a cab, limousine, or multi-seater. This makes it easier to get to your destination on time und focus on the creative work that matters.
