We want to excite young people about design and engineering, demystify the design process, and encourage creativity.
Whether you're a teacher or student, our resources will give you an insight into the process of making something that works.
Engineering Challenges
Think Differently More info
case studies & product analysis
education box - physical loanMore info
The James Dyson Foundation education box is a disassembly and product analysis resource. It contains:
- 1 Dyson DC22 Telescope Wrap Animal vacuum cleaner (including hose, telescopic wand, and accessories)
- 7 Dyson Turbine Head floor tools
- 1 Mini Flat Out floor tool
- 8 Torx screwdrivers
Plus, for your school to keep:
- Complimentary copy of James Dyson's autobiography
- Design engineering posters
- PDF Teacher Pack, containing a detailed case study on the development of DC22
- Dyson Design Process DVD and Student CD-Rom (featuring Dyson DC11)
It's loaned to your school for a period of 4 weeks at a time, completely free. It's ideally suited to KS3, 4, and 5 but can also be used at primary school and university. Use it with the James Dyson Foundation Teacher's Pack and DC22 Powerpoints.
To order an Education Box, click here.
Teachers Pack - PDFMore info
The James Dyson Foundation Teacher's Pack is an in-depth case study of the development behind a DC22 Dyson vacuum cleaner. It also features profiles of Dyson design engineers, the history of how the bagless vacuum cleaner was developed, and activities for your class. An essential accompaniment to the Education Box, the Teacher's Pack includes detailed instructions on how to disassemble the DC22 vacuum cleaner.
Product analysis - ZIP FILESMore info
You can also download our new hands-on product analysis and reverse engineering resources which work alongside the Education box.
Dyson Product Design
the design process - powerpointMore info
This annotated PowerPoint charts the process Dyson design engineers use when developing products. From early concept sketches right through to evaluation, each stage from idea to production is explained through videos and images. Also drawing out the qualities a great designer must possess, the presentation supplements the Education Box and Teacher's Pack but can be used as a stand-alone resource.
DC11 Design Process - DVDMore info
- 1 Introduction by James Dyson (5.5 mb)
- 2 The Brief (5.3 mb)
- 3 Research (6.5 mb)
- 4 Idea Development (5.5 mb)
- 5 3D Prototyping (22.4 mb)
- 6 Production & Testing (12 mb)
- 7 Evaluation & Modifications(5 mb)
This DVD and CD-Rom with worksheets charts the design process behind Dyson's DC11 vacuum cleaner, featuring James Dyson and top Dyson design engineers. It can be used on its own, or alongside the James Dyson Foundation education box as an example of the design process applied to another Dyson product. Excerpts from the DVD are also available in the video library.
build your own cyclone - a3 model kitMore info
Cardboard modelling is an inexpensive and quick way to test your design. It's easy to modify, and can be used to experiment with functionality, as well as aesthetics. The Build Your Own Cyclone kit enables you to make your own functional cardboard cyclone which you can connect to a vacuum cleaner to demonstrate the principle of centrifugal force.
Engineering General Interest
Engineering PostersMore info
Download our free posters to liven up your classroom walls. Investigating different aspects of the design process, as well as paths into design engineering, the posters can be used with the Teacher's Pack and Education Box, or on their own to support learning.
Click on the poster thumbnails (above) to view and download
"I was given a choice at school: pursue either arts or sciences. There was no happy medium on offer for a boy who enjoyed solving problems and making things with his hands. I stumbled across my flair for design engineering by mistake. 40 years on, I'm passionate about it. And I've realised what I missed out on at school."
Video Library
See James Dyson in Genius of Britain
Innovation Engineering L2U8 L3U7
Problem Solving Engineering L3U9
Maths & Science Engineering L3U8 L3U9
Useful LinksMore info
TV
Dyson references:
Museum partners:
- Design Museum, London
- Science Museum, London
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
- SS Great Britain, Bristol
Institutions and Academies:
University partners:
- Brunel University
- Glasgow School of Art
- Northumbria University
- Royal College of Art
- Southbank University
- London South Bank University
Education and careers
James Dyson Foundation is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

