Thumbnail of Teachers' resource: Explore design processes through the V&A and RIBA Architecture collections

Teachers' resource: Explore design processes through the V&A and RIBA Architecture collections

This resource explains the design processes used in architecture and shows how they can inspire and facilitate other design projects. It draws on the V&A collections and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) archive of architectural drawings, manuscripts and models.

Thumbnail of Interview with the knit designer Patricia Roberts

Interview with the knit designer Patricia Roberts

Interview with the knit designer Patricia Roberts whose books inspired many of the UK hand-knitters of the early 1980s.

Thumbnail of Consuming Indian textiles

Consuming Indian textiles

Indian textiles were valued for a variety of reasons in 19th-century Britain. They were prized as symbolic trophies of Britain's empire in India and examples of its material resources, and were also admired as models of good design and inspiration for both manufacturers and consumers.

Thumbnail of About the Jameel Prize

About the Jameel Prize

The Jameel Prize is an international art prize launched by the V&A and supported by Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel. The Prize will be awarded to a contemporary artist or designer for work inspired by Islamic traditions of craft and design. The competition will be held every two years, with a prize of £25,000.

Thumbnail of Poems about the V&A: 'Mary's elephant, Elizabeth's spinet' by Ruth Padel

Poems about the V&A: 'Mary's elephant, Elizabeth's spinet' by Ruth Padel

In 2002 the V&A and the Poetry Book Society commissioned five poets to create new works inspired by the British Galleries 1500-1900. The poets were invited to come and explore the galleries at their leisure and select which object might take their fancy. Ruth Padel's poem was inspired by two objects: a spinet probably belonging to Elizabeth I, and an embroidered panel probably made by Mary, Queen of Scots.