Melanie Smith

Melanie led the inception and operation of the Design Age Institute in 2020. She joined the RCA from the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Cambridge and holds a BA (Hons) Fine Art from UCCA, PGCE Design & Technology and MEd both from the University of Cambridge.

Melanie started her career as a conceptual artist and painter. She later pursued interior design and STEAM education to ensure tangible and innovative outputs came to fruition using robust, credible research from both academic and industry settings. She has undertaken numerous creative commissions for high profile clients, with her predominant creative interest in inclusive design, innovation and entrepreneurship, gender stereotypes and creative rebellion.