Events
D2N+ Activities
D2N+ will follow a challenge-based approach that uses the solving of challenge case studies to bring together a digital design community.
The core activities include:
A
Co-creating Challenge Case Studies, with cross sectoral relevance, with end users and RTOs
B
Flexible Funding for researchers to support their involvement in solving the case studies
C
Workshops focused on case studies to showcase, compare and evaluate solutions
D
Post workshop interdisciplinary residencies for reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of the solutions, along with what additional skills and backgrounds should be included to enhance the solutions
E
Organic community building including some targeted actions to ensure that our network is as diverse and inclusive as possible
Challenge Case Studies
Challenge Case Studies will have cross sectoral relevance and be co-created with RTO and end users. They will reflect the challenges faced by UK industry in designing the next generation of complex sustainable products. D2N+ will adopt a systems-level approach for designing the case studies, considering the requirements of all interdisciplinary stakeholders, including determining system requirements, creating a concept design, refining and optimizing, and verifying and validating it for its purpose.
The case studies in turn will last 4, 6 and 8 months.
Two leads will be selected for each case study who will be instrumental in preparing, drafting, supporting and reporting on the case studies.
Workshops
The workshops are designed to bring together the Digital Design Network+ (D2N+) community, enabling collaboration, networking and the sharing of expertise across the digital design landscape.
Workshop 1: This one-day event was hosted at the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol. Bringing together more than 40 participants from academia, industry and partner organisations, the workshop provided an opportunity to introduce the Network’s vision and objectives while fostering new connections across the community.
The event successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, networking and discussions that helped shape the future direction of the Network.
Workshops 2: This event was successfully hosted over two days across the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the University of Strathclyde, bringing together academics, industry partners and challenge teams for an intensive programme of presentations, discussions and collaborative activities.
The event also served as the official launch of Challenge Case Study 2.
Workshops 3: Will be a two day event and is scheduled for the Proposed dates of 1–2 December 2026 at The KTC (Knowledge Transfer Centre) & The University of Sheffield.
Further details to follow.
Workshops 4: Queen’s University Belfast, lead institution for the DDN+, will host the fourth and final workshop in Belfast.
Further details to follow.
Upcoming Key Events
All our events and workshops are free, but require registration
Workshop
Previous Events
Workshop
20th Apr 2026
Birmingham
Our residential and sandpit was an opportunity for the team to reflect on work undertaken across the network. It allowed us to...
Workshop
30th Mar 2026
Re-imagining Design for Circularity – Call for Applications
The Digital Design Network+ wants to showcase the art-of-the possible and benefits that Digital...
Workshop
24th Feb 2026
Glasgow
The Digital Design Network Plus successfully hosted the Challenge Case Study 2 Launch Workshop on 24-25 February 2026.
Day 1 was hosted...
Workshop
29th Jan 2026
The session provided an accessible introduction to carbon accounting and its growing relevance in digital design. It explored what carbon emissions mean in...
Workshop
30th Jun 2025
Re-imagining the drone design process – Call for Applications
The Digital Design Network+ wants to showcase the art-of-the possible and benefits that Digital Design...
Workshop
18th Jun 2025
Bristol
Join us for the launch of Digital Design Network Plus (D2N+), a one-day workshop introducing this exciting new network, its mission, and Case...