DESIGN FOR EVERY LEARNER
DESIGN
CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE
Can your design create a better future for every learner?
IDEA Design Hub CIC is now accepting entries for the IDEA Design for Every Learner Challenge 2026, a secondary school design competition inviting students across London to create products that help younger children learn, communicate, play, regulate emotions and thrive.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The challenge encourages students to explore how design can improve learning experiences for children with different needs, including children with SEND.
Participants are invited to design an innovative product that supports creativity, inclusion, wellbeing, communication, learning or play.
Great design starts with empathy. Think about the challenges children face and how your design could make everyday experiences easier, more enjoyable, and more inclusive.
COMPETITION
LAUNCH
15 JUNE 2026
WEBINARS
23 JUNE 2026
30 JUNE 2026
SUBMISSION
DEADLINE
24 JULY 2026
AWARDS AND
EXHIBITION
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER 2026
IDEA OPEN ENTRIES FOR
DESIGN FOR EVERY LEARNER
ABOUT IDEA
IDEA Design Hub CIC is an international social enterprise dedicated to using creativity and design to improve learning experiences for children and young people.
Since 2009, IDEA has worked across London, Cambodia, Nepal, and India, helping communities design and build more than 30 village schools and educational projects that create better opportunities for learning and community development.
As an international social enterprise, IDEA provides inclusive, high-quality art and design education that helps children and young people build creativity, confidence, and resilience.
In 2015, IDEA was recognised by UN Volunteers as one of 500 global stories highlighting the positive impact of volunteer-led initiatives in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Currently, the IDEA London team is supporting The Hyde School in developing ideas for sensory gardens and sensory facilities that create more inclusive outdoor learning environments for children with SEND.
We believe good design can transform how children learn, communicate, play, and experience the world.
THE CHALLENGE: Can your design create a better future for every learner?
The IDEA Design for Every Learner Challenge invites secondary school students to design innovative products that help younger children learn, communicate, play, regulate emotions, and thrive.
Students should create ideas that promote:
• Creativity
• Inclusion
• Wellbeing
• Communication
• Learning
• Play
Students may submit ideas within ONE category only.
DESIGN
CATEGORIES
FURNITURE DESIGN
Design furniture that supports learning, comfort, inclusion, and well-being.
Examples include: Sensory furniture, Flexible seating, Reading spaces, Calm corners, Modular learning furniture, Outdoor learning furniture
Furniture concepts should not exceed:
1.5m (H) × 1.5m (W) × 1.5m (D)
Designs should prioritise:
-
Safety
-
Accessibility
-
Practicality
FASHION AND
WEARABLE PRODUCTS
Design wearable products that support learning, wellbeing, communication, or sensory needs.
Examples include:
-
Sensory clothing
-
Adaptive fashion
-
Wearable learning tools
-
Emotional regulation products
-
Interactive garments
TOYS AND
LEARNING TOOLS
Design products that combine play and learning.
Examples include:
-
Educational toys
-
Learning games
-
Interactive teaching resources
-
Play-based learning tools
-
STEM learning products
SENSORY
PRODUCTS
Design products that provide sensory support and improve well-being.
Examples include:
-
Fidget tools
-
Communication aids
-
Sensory exploration products
-
Emotional regulation devices
-
Multi-sensory learning experiences
WHO CAN ENTER
The competition is open to secondary school students in London.
-
Year Group A: Years 7–9
-
Year Group B: Years 10–13
Students may enter individually or in small teams of up to four.
KEY DATES
-
Competition Opens: Monday 15 June 2026
-
Webinar 1: Tuesday 23 June 2026
-
Webinar 2: Tuesday 30 June 2026
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Submission Deadline: Friday 24 July 2026
-
Judging Period: Late July / August 2026
-
Awards & Exhibition: September/October 2026
WHAT TO SUBMIT
Each entry should include:
1. Visual Presentation: One A3 presentation board and a maximum of three presentation slides, showing design ideas, concept sketches, drawings, images, diagrams and product explanation.
2. Design Description and Mini Selling Proposal: One A4 page, maximum 300 words, submitted as a PDF.
Students may also submit optional physical prototypes, models, videos or mock-ups.
PRIZES
For each Year Group, the Winning entries will receive:
-
First Prize: £200 cash voucher* and certificate
-
Second Prize: £100 cash voucher* and certificate
-
Third Prize: £50 cash voucher* and certificate
-
Five Honourable Mentions: Certificate of Recognition
*Voucher redeemable against IDEA programmes, tutoring services, and art materials.
Participating schools will also receive school recognition certificates.
The winning concept may have the opportunity to be further developed with IDEA as part of our future sensory garden developments at The Hyde School.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Entries will be judged on:
-
Creativity and innovation
-
Understanding of users and inclusion
-
Practicality and function
-
Commercial and development potential
-
Communication and presentation
WHY TAKE PART?
Students will develop creative portfolios, learn design thinking, explore inclusive design, build empathy, and create real-world solutions that could improve learning environments for younger children.
HOW TO ENTER
Schools and students are invited to register for the competition and attend the briefing webinars:
1 . Tuesday 23 June 2026 10 am/11.30 am (BST):
Schools and students' registration required.
Topics include:
• Introduction to IDEA
• Inclusive Design Principles
• Competition Briefing
• Inspiration Projects
2 . Tuesday 30 June 2026 10/11.30 am (BST)
Schools and students' registration required.
Topics include:
• Questions and Answers
• Design Development Guidance
• Submission Support
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT: June–July 2026. Students research, sketch, test, prototype, and develop ideas.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY 24 JULY 2026 (23.59 BST).
SUMMER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES: August 2026
Participants will be invited to join:
• IDEA Art & Design Bootcamp
• Prototype Workshops
• Portfolio Development Sessions
JUDGING PERIOD: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2026
AWARD AND EXHIBITION: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.
JURY PANEL
PHILIPPA
SAVINGS
Headteacher,
The Hyde School
NEIL
PINDER
Honorary Professor
Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
Hon FRIBA, FRSA
Founder, HomeGrown Plus / NOMA
PAULINA
DRACZ
Global Project Design Lead, IDEA Design Hub
Fashion Designer and Creative Practitioner
ANGELA
LEE
Architect, Professor and Fellow, Research Institute for Sustainability
Founder, Studio HAAU
Professor, École Spéciale d’Architecture, Paris
DRGOFFREDINA
SPANO
Lecturer and Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychologist
Psychology Department,
Kingston University London
ROBERT
WONG
Professor and Module Lead,
European School of Economics
Founder | Principal Architect, IDEA Design Hub
Community Architect, RIBA, HKIA
and Social Entrepreneur