Our Design Schools are the centre of purposeful creativity, preparing boys for study in Product Design, Industrial Design and Practical Engineering. The department fosters a rigorous design education that combines intellectual ambition with a tangible understanding of materials and manufacturing, and supports boys in developing the analytical, technical and creative skills relished by top design and engineering programmes.
From their first year, boys are introduced to design through project-based learning that encourages creativity, resilience and thoughtful iteration. As they progress, they are challenged to engage with increasingly complex material and manufacturing processes—including CAD/CAM, 3D printing, prototyping, and engineering processes—alongside analytical research, technical drawing and commercial awareness. This is a subject in which boys learn quickly and visibly: mistakes are part of the process, and every project is an opportunity for growth.
What I love most about the Design Schools is the freedom to make and do anything, whether in lessons or in my own time, and the chance to take full ownership of creative projects.
harry J, Keeper of design
hours are cumulatively spent by boys in the Design Schools during co-curricular time each Half (term).
The curriculum develops transferable skills in systems thinking, user-centred design and commercial awareness, enabling boys to present original, purposeful outcomes supported by robust technical development. Independent thinking is encouraged at every stage, and boys are supported in building sophisticated portfolios that demonstrate process, insight and potential for further study.
The Design Schools are open throughout the week and on weekends, giving boys the freedom and support to refine ambitious personal projects and deepen their engagement beyond timetabled lessons. Studio culture is central: boys are treated as emerging designers and are encouraged to work with agency, precision and care.
At its core, design at Eton is not just about artefacts—it’s about developing thoughtful, capable individuals who can interrogate complex problems and shape a better future through design.
