Behind the Scenes: How We Design a TICE Project
At TICE, we design with the creative industries in mind—and with an eye on what’s coming next.
Our projects are both industry-informed and trend-driven, designed to explore emerging themes and future-facing ideas. We look ahead to what young people might encounter in creative careers—not just today, but in the years to come—ensuring that our work remains relevant, thought-provoking, and creatively ambitious. Every TICE project starts with a question: What do young people need—not just to be creative, but to feel connected, curious, and confident in the world of work?
Designing a TICE project is part research, part storytelling, and part creative risk-taking. It’s not just about delivering a fun experience (though we love that too). It’s about crafting something purposeful—something that speaks to emerging trends, industry needs, and the creative energy of the next generation.
Here’s how it all comes together.
Step 1: Looking Ahead
We begin by scanning cultural, technological, and social trends—inside and outside of the creative industries. Whether it’s the rise of AI in fashion design, a resurgence of analogue photography, or shifts in how young people express identity, we’re always asking:
What will tomorrow’s creatives be thinking about—and how can we bring that into the classroom today?
This often leads us to unexpected but exciting territory. It’s how Plantopia came to blend AI and nature. It’s why Beyond the Buy explored personal style through the lens of sustainability. And it’s how Sounds of Self turned wellbeing into sound design.
Step 2: Writing the Brief
Once we’ve locked in a direction, we begin crafting a project narrative. This includes:
A title that sets the tone (think: Dream Diaries, Time Keepers, Melodies Without Borders)
A clear theme rooted in real-world conversation
A structured creative journey, broken into six digestible parts
Each part leads students deeper into research, concept development, and making—always with space for creative autonomy. We design every step so students can explore in their own way, while still being guided through a professional-style process.
Step 3: Designing the Learning Experience
This is where we shape how the project actually feels.
What tasks will excite or challenge students?
What creative risks are worth taking?
Where can we include real industry references?
We don’t just want students to create something—we want them to understand why it matters. Each part is supported with visual examples, task breakdowns, mentor guidance, and optional extensions. There’s space for experimentation, process documentation, and personal reflection—because it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
Step 4: Bringing in Industry Voices
TICE wouldn’t be TICE without the people behind the scenes. Every project includes:
An interview with a creative professional (often one actively working in the project’s focus area)
Mentor videos or process book examples to give students a real sense of how professionals work and think
Whether it’s a photographer explaining how they capture time, a composer walking through a soundtrack, or a stylist reflecting on trend interpretation—these voices add context and real-world weight to the journey.
Step 5: Final Outcomes & Reflection
Each project leads to a creative submission—anything from a collage collection or short film to a soundscape, fashion mock-up, or photographic piece. But it’s not just about the final product.
We encourage students to:
Reflect on their creative process
Document what worked (and what didn’t)
Share how their thinking evolved
These reflections, combined with their outcomes, are featured in our TICE Spotlight Gallery and celebrated at TICE Fest—our annual creative showcase in November.
Why It Matters
Designing a TICE project is about more than producing an educational resource. It’s about giving young people a space to think differently, try something new, and connect their creativity to the world around them.
Every project is a conversation starter—a way to say: here’s what’s happening, here’s where you fit in, and here’s where you could take it next.