Participant testimonies
Jump to
Participants come from all over the world to the RCA to partake in a range of short courses and masterclasses. Here you can see what some of our participants thought of their time with us.
“There's an intangible 'magic' element to theses courses – which is the melting pot of the people, the building, and the speakers.”
Creative Leadership Masterclass
“The Creative Leadership course was a great introduction into the inner thinkings of what it takes to become a creative leader in today's world. As technology changes, people remain human and we must treat each other as such. The course is a gateway to unlocking the necessary traits, of which we all possess, for a creative leader.”
“Creative Leadership is the leadership course for those who don't like leadership courses. No pseudo-science, popular frameworks or metrics here: just a clear focus on real leadership through empathy, clarity and creativity – all learned together through activities and conversations.”
“The Creative Leadership course was absolutely fantastic and will provide me with some invaluable skills that I will use for the rest of my career.”
Online Service Design Masterclass
“This course fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving in healthcare. I was surprised by how much creative and design thinking can be applied to clinical practice. Learning to embrace divergent thinking, consider extreme users, and prioritise the human experience has given me a new lens through which to design better solutions for patients.”
“I enrolled in this course to explore whether pursuing a Master’s in Service Design at RCA was the right path for me. It not only confirmed my interest but also deepened my passion for service design. The experience reassured me that this is the field where I can thrive and make an impact.”
“If you are interested in Service Design but don't have much time, this is the perfect packed introductory course to set you on your way.”
Design Thinking & Innovation
“Enrolling in this course was a personal investment in myself. Although I had recently been recognized for my contributions at work, I was unsure about how I could effectively lean into the aspects of my work that I enjoy most. Thankfully, my experience in this course expanded my perspective, sparked my imagination, and gave me practical examples of people who followed their intuition, creativity, and passion to design fulfilling lives.”
“Learning directly from the RCA, a world-leading college in Art and Innovation was fantastic. In two days we used Design Thinking methodologies to discuss world peace, farming, hospital ICU experiences through a very hands-on approach. I experienced the incredible value Design Thinking brings to structuring ideation and innovation to create value for my company.”
“I learnt that design thinking can be applied outside of traditional design projects and that it also gives you the confidence to back your own strategic thinking, which is so important in this age of AI.”
Curating Contemporary Art & Design Summer School
“The course was one of the best I've ever taken! Well curated and organized, incredible speakers and engagement from the class. The calibre of the participants was great - you could tell that they were picked with care and discernment. It was wonderful to meet amazing people from around the world who are doing such meaningful work in the arts and culture field, all in their own ways.”
“The summer course was a beautiful and rigorous journey that provided me with many insights into new developments in the sphere of modern art and curation that I had not previously experienced [...] the course exceeded my expectations and motivated me to incorporate some of the AI tools, technologies and sustainable practices mentioned into the future curatorial concepts.”
“The programme felt like learning a new language. It was rigorous, generous, and intellectually expansive, offering frameworks that will continue to shape my work long after the course ends. The mix of theory, case studies, and peer exchange created an environment that was both grounding and challenging in the best way.”
Contemporary Art Summer School
“This course was pivotal in developing and understanding myself as a contemporary artist. It fostered in me resilience and confidence I lacked before. The private tutorials were instrumental in helping me take my art to the next level; opening my mind to other media.”
“Clichés aside, this course is life-changing. The course leader and RCA tutors create a safe space for you as an artist to try new things, share ideas and challenge yourself to create a high quality piece of work in a limited time. The workshops and lectures are so rich with current references and introductions to creative software. The individual tutorials and group crits offer genuine constructive feedback on your work which is priceless. Having the opportunity to directly ask questions to RCA's first class network of lecturers, artists, practitioners and curators was invaluable. This course has been integral to defining my own art practice and I finished the course feeling excited for the future.”
“This course unlocked creative elements in my practice that I did not know were needed to push my work and myself, personally and professionally, to the next level. With empathy and discipline, this course has completely adjusted the way I approach my work and thinking overall [...] I have made genuine connections with my cohort, thank you for bringing us all together in this virtual world!”
Editorial Design
“Even though I’ve been working as an editorial designer for several years, this course still felt highly relevant. It was inspiring to meet others who share a passion for book and magazine design, and to learn from tutors with such deep experience in the field. Receiving (sometimes challenging) feedback — and learning how to work with it — was a valuable part of the process. One key takeaway for me was to stop trying to fit a hundred concepts into one design, and instead focus on simplifying and strengthening a single idea.”
“A fantastic course, led by some of the most talented designers in the industry. You’ll feel 100% part of the group and completely immersed within the editorial design world.”
“I had been feeling burnt out on design as a profession, but this course has completely re-energised me and given me a renewed passion. The course environment was fun and friendly but also facilitated serious discussions about typography and design. I'd recommend this course to anyone, be they beginner or experienced designers.”
Futures Through Design
“This course marked a before and after in how I see the world, the future, and what’s possible. It will redefine how I approach every project, with more empathy, a broader perspective, and a stronger sense of optimism.”
“This course is essential for the next generation of leaders to change the way you think about your next steps”
“The course pushed me to think about design beyond immediate solutions and more in terms of long-term impact and systems. What surprised me most was how valuable it is to slow down and explore ideas without rushing to resolve them. It’s already changing how I work. I’m more comfortable sitting with ambiguity and using it as part of the process”
Related pages
Contact us
Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about this or any of our other short courses.
short-courses@rca.ac.uk
