Future design zone

Explore the journey to becoming a trailblazing innovator in the 21st century. The Dyson School of Design Engineering opens its doors to showcase interactive activities and innovations across four floors of our building, from the work of first year students just starting out, through to a full size physical and virtual reality experience of our future autonomous journeys.

Spread throughout the impressive Dyson Building, visitors will be able to try their hand at designing chairs with Imperial-RCA innovation design engineers, and leave with a chair design; visit our audio lab to experience 3D sound and leave with a digital profile of your hearing, or try out a full-size mock-up of an autonomous vehicle, and leave with a virtual experience of future city centre journeys.

Attend a talk in our talks programme, try out the latest immersive 3D computer aided designing in virtual reality, meet motivated young innovators and their start-up propositions and much more. Visit to experience your own innovation journey and bring your friends and family too.

The Dyson School of Design Engineering is the newest School within Imperial College London and, hosting collaborative courses with the with the Royal College of Art, it is a powerhouse of innovation, with over 600 students, from first year undergraduates to PhD students and researchers. Our Open House event, led by students, is a celebration of being a young innovator in London, one of the world’s most important locations for design and engineering led innovation.

Visitor information

This is a drop in event. Some events within zones might be ticketed, please check the relevant event page for details.

To attend the Festival, please make sure to register for free. Registering is the only way to receive the latest Festival updates, a first-look at the full programme, and opportunities to book onto popular talks, creative workshops and tours.

Register for the Festival