Garden Futures Podcast Series

Thread Memory: Ayham Hassan

Global Garden

Help us create a digital Global Garden where endless interpretations of what a garden can be flourish together

Next Level Nature

Experience a season of art and design shaped by the natural world!

As Dundee prepares to open the doors of the Drumgeith Community Campus in August 2025, a powerful story is already unfolding — one that places young people at the heart of design, identity, and innovation.

V&A Dundee: As Seen on Screen

Take a look back at some of our favourite moments of V&A Dundee onscreen.

Our favourite objects in Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk

We’re loving how much you’re loving Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, with over 300 objects from the 17th century all the way to present day. To give you a glimpse inside the exhibition, we asked the team to tell us about their favourite objects. Here’s our top 10 pick:

The Dalmore Luminary No. 2: Aymeric Renoud

As part of our five year partnership with The Dalmore, we commissioned local designer Aymeric Renoud, founder of Draff Studio, to create a beautiful plinth to display our collection of The Dalmore's Luminary Series. We caught up with Aymeric to hear more about his career and his approach to the commission.

Lavender Labels

This LGBTQ+ History Month, we are taking a closer look at our Lavender Labels, a stand-out addition to our Scottish Design Galleries.

Tartan: Exploding the Grid - Full Conference

An international conference expanding the thinking from our now closed exhibition, Tartan.

The Dundee Tapestry: Threading Ideas

The Dundee Tapestry tells over 35 unique stories from the city. We caught up with Andrew Crummy to find out more.

The Dundee Tapestry: Weaving Stories

We caught up with John Fyffe MBE, of the Weaver Incorporation of Dundee, to learn more about The Dundee Tapestry project. From bringing the idea to life, gathering over 140 volunteer stitchers to all 35 finished panels being on display here in the museum.

CanDu: Weaving Design and Healthcare

Our Communities Producer, Peter Nurick, explores how design and healthcare can be woven together.

Howie Nicholsby: The 21st Century Kiltmaker

We caught up with Howie Nicholsby of 21st Century Kilts to talk all about the iconic kilt he made for Sir Billy Connolly as part of the 2019 NYC Tartan Day Parade.

Tartan highlights

Last chance to see – Tartan is on show until 14 January 2024.

A Fragile Correspondence Podcast Series

We Took from Nature to Make this Charcoal – How Does it Feel?

Nick Knight CBE – Homogenic by Bjork

We caught up with legendary image-maker Nick Knight CBE, who collaborated with Alexander McQueen and Bjork on the infamous cover for Bjorks's album, 'Homogenic'.

Wafrica – Blending West African fashion with the kimono

We caught up with Serge Mouangue, a designer and artist born in Yaoundé in Cameroon, who has collaborated with respected Japanese kimono makers Odasho to create a series of kimono inspired by West African fashion.

Dame Zandra Rhodes – Freddie Mercury & Kimono

To celebrate the birthday of iconic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and the inclusion of one of his kimono in our latest exhibition, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, we caught up with Dame Zandra Rhodes about what it was like to design an outfit for him, and where his love of kimono came from.

Every Building on the Sunset Strip

We caught up with American artist Ed Ruscha, who tells us all about the creation of one of his most infamous works, Every Building on the Sunset Strip.

Kimono to Kamino: How the kimono influenced Star Wars

Many costumes in the Star Wars universe have been inspired by the kimono, from the original Jedi robes to outfits worn by Queen Padmé Amidala. To find out more, we caught up with costume designer Dave Crossman, who has worked on many of the Star Wars films, including: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and spin-off films Rogue One and Solo.

Costumes at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

When you think of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, you most likely think of high energy highland dancing or the stirring sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums. But have you ever considered the role of uniforms and costumes within the Show?

USA Kilts: Tartans Journey from Across the Pond

We caught up with Rocky, owner of USA Kilts, to find out what tartan means to him and how the unique textile has inspired him to create USA Kilts

Billy Connolly on tartan

Sir Billy Connolly shares his thoughts with V&A Dundee on his mother’s tartan, the rebellious act of kilt-wearing…. and cauld bums.

Young People's Collective Podcast: What the Hat?!

Talking Tartan with Alan Cumming and Simon Sladen

Fray – the novel written on the bus to V&A Dundee

Ditching Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is a waste crisis which is having a detrimental impact on our planet. Amy and Ella from Kids Against Plastic dig deeper into the fashion industry and explore how we can take action and make positive change. Read on to find out more.

Violet delights: A queer history of purple

Our LGBTQ+ Working Group have added a series of Lavender Labels to the Scottish Design Galleries that explore queer stories connected to some of our objects. But why lavender? One of our advisors Keava McMillan delves into the queer history of purple to explore the meanings this colour holds for the LGBTQ+ community.

The rewards of re-thinking plastic

The cost of everything has gone up within the last few years, often forcing people to make difficult choices between saving their pennies or making positive changes to save the environment.

Pride and Polyethylene

The rise of plastic has not left the LGBTQIA+ community by the wayside. It’s hard not to see the appeal of plastic given all of its great qualities, opening up a world of expression and protest throughout history.

De-plasticising Christmas

Christmas is said to be the most magical time of the year, but it is also the most wasteful time of the year. Jillian from Little Green Larder has all the tips to reduce your impact on the planet this Christmas.

Celluloid: Cinema & Plastics

Ian Banks from Dundee Contemporary Arts writes about the intertwining history of celluloid and cinema, a material with an explosive reputation.

Designing Sincerely, Valentines

Our exhibition 'Sincerely, Valentines' explores the history behind one of Dundee's most fascinating design success stories, Valentines. We caught up with curatorial duo Panel to find out more about the development of this show.

Natla Jewellery Studio: Stephanie Graham

We caught up with founder of social enterprise Natla Jewellery Studio, Stephanie Graham, to chat more about her work, how design has impacted her practice and more. Read to find out more.

Things To Do This Summer At V&A Dundee

Andrew Batchelor of Dundee Culture recently visited our summer families programme, Sketch, Scribble + Style.

Visiting Plastic: Remaking Our World

Andrew Batchelor of Dundee Culture recently visited our current exhibition, Plastic: Remaking Our World. Read on to find out about his experience.

Festive Design Market: DJCAD Graduates

Our Festive Design Market showcases the very best of Scottish design, this year along with Scottish makers we're showcasing the work of eight talented graduates from DJCAD. Find out who they are and more about their practice below.

Dundee Connections in the Scottish Design Galleries

Andrew Batchelor of Dundee Culture explores our Scottish Design Galleries with Davie, one of our amazing Visitor Assistants, to find out more about the Dundee connections within our galleries. Watch the video and read the article below.

How can fiction build bridges?

Our Designer and Researcher in Residence, Harun Morrison, and local organisations have been exploring our Scottish Design Galleries to bring objects to life through fiction. Find out more about these workshops below.

Blue VS Green: What is ‘I am Curious, Orange’?

Our Digital Learning Coordinator, Aiesha Duncan, explores the influences and religious significance behind Michael Clark's iconic 'I am Curious, Orange' performance.

Daytrippers: Fiona Hall

With sustainability in design at the heart of this year's Daytrippers project, each of our collectible, limited edition souvenirs is made with a commitment to reducing waste and creating special products that will last for many summers to come. The Playtime Picnic Blanket by Camban Studio celebrates friendship, summertime and being outdoors. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these distinctive products. Today, we chat with Fiona Hall of Camban Studio.

The People's Tartan

Be part of reinventing tartan’s story

Valentines: Women in the Workforce - Ishbel McLean

Sincerely, Valentines tells the story of Scotland’s most pioneering and successful commercial photographers, best known for popularising the holiday postcard on a global scale. Hear from Ishbel McLean, a former employee as she shares her memories working at Valentines.

Daytrippers: Ellen Martin

With sustainability in design at the heart of this year's Daytrippers venture, we've commissioned two designers to create patterns for 4 different Furoshiki's, that celebrate friendship, summertime and being outdoors. Each is made in Scotland. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products. Today, we chat with Ellen Martin of Ellen Martin Textiles.

Daytrippers: Manami Sakurai

With sustainability in design at the heart of this year's Daytrippers venture, we've commissioned two designers to create patterns for 4 different Furoshiki's, that celebrate friendship, summertime and being outdoors. Each is made in Scotland. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products. Today, we chat with Manami Sakurai

Queering the Museum

Laurie Bassam, Curator and co-founder of our LGBTQ+ Working Group, reflects on the ongoing work the group are carrying out to identify queer objects within our Scottish Design Galleries and bring these stories to life.

The Language of Pride

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride Month, our LGBTQ+ Working Group explore the emergence of symbolic identity as a design language for the community

Connecting Threads

As part of our decolonisation series, we take a closer look at the Jute industry. Sally explores the wider global history of the fabric.

How to design a more sustainable world

Curator Susanna Beaumont talked to us about Design for Our Times, a forward-thinking exhibition which offers sustainable solutions to overconsumption and material waste through the innovative work of selected designers based in Scotland.

BBC TV show reveals V&A Dundee's Secrets of the Museum

The much-loved TV show Secrets of the Museum returns to our screens and iPlayer next week – and for the very first time will take viewers behind the scenes at V&A Dundee.

Introducing Michael Clark

To celebrate our exhibition Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer, writer Sarah Crompton looks backs at the career of dance legend Michael Clark, reflecting on his style and cult status.

The Michael Clark I know: Kate Coyne

Kate Coyne was a dancer in Michael Clark Company for over 15 years and until recently was its Associate Director.

Playlist - Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer

From post-punk to Stravinsky, listen to the music that inspired and moved the maverick spirit of Michael Clark.

Ana M’s Imperfect 10: Ultimate Club Watch List

Get your fix of clubbing films this festive season as the iconic Ana Matronic shares her top 10 watch list of dance floor movie magic, from downtown edgy to all night raves. Grab your popcorn and settle in 🍿

Ana M’s Imperfect 10: Ultimate Club Reading List

In need of some serious inspiration to spruce up your reading list? Take a romp through the stories behind the world’s most iconic clubs and the characters that made them, as well as the origins of some of the most important movements in clubbing history with Ana Matronic’s ultimate clubbing reading list.

Ana M’s Imperfect 10: Ultimate Club Playlist

We asked dance floor icon Ana Matronic an impossible question: If you had to pick, what are your top 10 clubbing tunes? Read more to find out Ana's top picks and why she has included these unforgettable tunes in her all time favourites!

Head space; designing clubs for mental wellbeing

Can club design promote better mental health? A series of workshops by Clubber2Clubber, in collaboration with artists Saskia Singer, Ruth Lonsdale and Linsey McIntosh, explored what club spaces could look like if they were designed with clubbers' wellbeing in mind.

Visualising the women of club culture

For Night Fever, Lady of the House and graphic designer Jenny Elliott collaborated to produce a new infographic, depicting influential female pioneers of electronic music.

'How the music felt to us' - taboo performers Q&A

Project participants August (they/them) from LGBT Youth Scotland and Leigh (she/her) from Front Lounge share their experience of co-designing and performing 'taboo' in the Night Fever space.

The Dundee Skateboard

Designer Mickey Fenton talked to us about the board's development, and the inspiration provided by V&A Dundee's architecture and 'invisible geometries'

Music, movement, euphoria - creating the taboo performance

'taboo' is a performance co-designed by young people from across Dundee, developed and performed in V&A Dundee, inspired by the exhibition Night Fever: Designing Club Culture.

Q&A with Shweta Mistry

We reached out to Shweta Mistry, one of the many talented designers we've worked with as part of our Daytrippers project, and asked if she could share more about her design process and inspirations. From Indian Miniature Painting techniques to heritage pigments, find out more below.

Visual AIDS - a complex history of design and public health

This World AIDS Day, V&A Dundee’s LGBTQIA+ Group considers the role design can play in tackling public health crises, and what those designing campaigns have got right - and wrong - in the past.

The Transformational Power of Design

Dr Bashabi Fraser offers a postcolonial review of transnationalism and appropriation, inspired by Shane Strachan's response to the work of designer Bill Gibb.

Dance the night away: an audio tour of Night Fever

We want everyone to be able to enjoy our exhibitions. As part of our digital access programme, we produced an audio described tour of ‘Night Fever: Designing Club Culture’ to bring the show to life in a different way.

Festive Design Market: NMARRA

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Jen Stewart, creator of NMARRA, about the role of nature and sustainability in her beautiful, bold jewellery pieces.

Festive Design Market: Jo-AMI

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Jolene Guthrie, founder of Jo-AMI, about her cool, contemporary take on classic knitwear and building a Dundee-born fashion brand.

Festive Design Market: Evgeniia Balashova

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Eve Balashova as she describes the innovative sustainable process behind her beautiful 3D printed jewellery pieces.

Festive Design Market: Stefanie Cheong

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Stefanie Cheong as she talks more about her sustainable jewellery.

Festive Design Market: Helen Ruth Scarves

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Helen Greensmith as she explores the narrative and aesthetic behind her bold contemporary designs.

Festive Design Market: Marie-Alice Harel

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Marie-Alice Harel as she tells us more about the stories and inspirations found in her beautifully illustrated books.

Festive Design Market: Isolated Heroes

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. Hear from Samantha Paton, founder of Isolated Heroes, as she explains what it was forging a path in the Scottish fashion industry as a Dundee brand.

The Power of Nearness

How can new dialogues on design impact the places we live? Lee Johnstone responds to the concept of the 20-minute neighbourhood.

Festive Design Market: Ploterre

On the run up to our Festive Design Market, we talk to some of the exhibitors about their work, their inspirations and process. First up we hear from Rebecca Kaye, founder of Ploterre, as she explores the use of data visualisation to create her fascinating illustrations.

Crafted in Felt - designing a DIY club scene

When a passion for the ‘danceably alternative’ met ‘Photoshop for Dummies’... DJ and artist David McLeish explores the homespun origins of Dundee indie club Felt and the unique visual identity that grew with it.

Celebrating, championing and honouring the women of club culture

A new project seeks to shine a light on the pioneering women of club culture. Here, the team behind Lady of the House explain why their voices are so vital for understanding clubbing history – and why many have gone unheard for so long.

Claire Cunningham: Design as Care

Daytrippers: Shweta Mistry

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Daytrippers: Klara Sormark

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Daytrippers: Fiona Moon

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Kindred Clothing

Run by Dundee-based charity Front Lounge, Kindred Clothing takes learners through the key stages of the garment production process, while teaching practical fashion photography skills and techniques to present themselves, their stories and their clothes.

Ian Schrager, interviewed by Benji B

Ten iconic graphics from club culture history

Rick Banks is a graphic designer and typographer, and author of Clubbed: A Visual History of UK Club Culture. Here he shares his pick of ten key designs which helped shaped the story of club graphics.

Queen of Queens by Shane Strachan

In a specially commissioned poem for V&A Dundee, writer Shane Strachan takes inspiration from Bill Gibb's Tana dress and its cross-cultural roots.

Scottish Design Icons: Vivienne Westwood Harris Tweed suit

For Faiza Djilani, fashion runs in the family; one particular object in the Scottish Design Galleries made her think of ancestral connections, as well as a newfound sense of identity.

Icône du design Écossais: Le Costume Harris Tweed

Scottish Design Icons: Winged Tiara

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Farzana explains how one of the galleries’ most dazzling objects sparked off a wealth of family memories.

سکاٹش ڈیزائن آئیکنز : پروں والا تاج (Winged Tiara)

سکاٹش ڈیزائنز آئیکنز چھوٹی اشیاء کی ایک سیریز ہے جو کہ سکاٹش ڈیزائن کے معروف ڈیزائنرز کو پیش کرتی ہے۔ اس ماہ، فرزانہ (Farzana) بیان کرتی ہیں کہ کس طرح گیلری کی چمک دار ترین اشیاء میں سے ایک نے خاندان کی خوبصورت یادوں کو جلا بخشی۔

Back to the 60s: an audio tour of Mary Quant

We want everyone to be able to enjoy our exhibitions. As part of our digital access programme, we produced an audio described tour of 'Mary Quant' to bring the show to life in a different way.

Scottish Design Icons: Pop-up stage set

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Yanyang reflects on how one particular object takes her back to the stories of her childhood.

苏格兰艺术设计的典范：舞台背景绘本

苏格兰艺术设计的典范通过一系列小文章展现了苏格兰独特而出色的艺术设计。

Scottish Design Icons: Mackintosh’s Masterpiece

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Yan tells us how one particular object, the Oak Room, evokes powerful emotions for her. Read or listen below.

苏格兰艺术设计的典范： 麦金托什的杰作

苏格兰艺术设计的典范是由一系列短小文章展示了苏格兰独特而出色的艺术品。这个月，由夏燕给我们讲述一件特别的展品--- 橡木厅，是如何给她带来震撼并深深沉浸其中的。

When Edi met Mary

Almost 20 years ago, broadcaster Edi Stark interviewed Mary Quant in London. From making her own clothes out of a bedspread as a child to starting a fashion revolution and beyond, Quant answers Edi’s revealing questions. We caught up with Edi recently and asked her about this fantastic conversation.

On Quant: Meredith More meets Heather Tilbury Phillips

This talk was recorded in July 2020.

Design as an Attitude with Alice Rawsthorn

This talk was recorded in January 2019

What is Sewing Box for the Future?

Conserving Mackintosh's Oak Room

This short film reveals how a major lost work by Scotland’s most famous designer was brought back to life more than 100 years later.

RIBA + VitrA Talk: Yasmeen Lari

This talk was recorded on 18 February 2020

Material Narratives with Dean Brown

Webcomics: Riky Christian

Lice in the pugger's land

Beyond the gift shop: Making Glasgow Womens Library

This talk was recorded on 11 March 2020

In conversation with Atelier E.B

This talk was recorded on 26 February 2020

Scottish Design Icons: Jessie M. King

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Claire explores Glaswegian and Arthurian legend through the work of illustrator Jessie M. King.

Scottish Design Icons: Forth Bridge

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Stuart takes a closer look at the Forth Bridge and reflects on its dizzying position in Scotland’s consciousness.

Scottish Design Icons: Bruce McLean

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Becca Clark reflects on the drama and impact of Bruce McLean's work, beautifully conveyed in his jug on display in our galleries.

Pack it up: building exhibitions and taking them apart

The time between taking down one exhibition and putting up the next is one of the busiest for our Exhibitions team as they work behind-the-scenes to bring the next show to life. Helen talks us through the process.

Our Top Moments of 2023

2023 is coming to an end so we wanted to share our top moments of the year! What's been you favourite moment? Let us know ☺️

Behind the Seams: Mounting Costumes

We caught up with Nicole Giacomantonio, textile conservator and artist, to find out more about her practice and involvement in working on our Tartan exhibition, mounting textiles objects. Find out more below.

Daytrippers: Martin Baillie and Aymeric Renoud

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these beautiful products and the cargo bikes that house them.

Design Stories in Tatha

Complementing the incredible views over River Tay, Tatha’s passion for place is expressed through creative, innovative materials and a celebration of Scottish design.

أيقونات التصميم الاسكتلندي: بدلة هاريس تويد

Scottish Design Icons: Patrick Geddes

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Russell Dornan draws out unexpected connections between a 1913 zoo plan and his own life.

Scottish Design Icons: GB Ollivant Ltd

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Maryam Deeni shares how a small detail she spotted in the museum had a huge impact on her and her sense of self.

Scottish Design Icons: Lemmings

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. In our very first one, Russell recalls playing the video game Lemmings 20 years ago.

Speedo: breaking records and taboos

Revealing, tight fitting and controversial, one of the first Speedo swimsuits caused moral outrage when it was first unveiled.

Hand wash only: caring for Ayrshire needlework

A 180-year-old Ayrshire christening robe was carefully cleaned by textile conservation experts before its display in our Scottish Design Galleries.

Valentines Workforce: Paul Cattigan

Sincerely, Valentines tells the story of Scotland’s most pioneering and successful commercial photographers, best known for popularising the holiday postcard on a global scale. Hear from Paul Cattigan, a former employee as he shares his memories working at Valentines.

Daytrippers: Katie Smith

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Daytrippers: Lauren Morsley

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Daytrippers: Kate Harvey

Our collaboration with Local Heroes celebrates and supports Scottish designers. In this series, you'll meet the designers behind these collectable products.

Designing for young minds

Why society’s smallest members deserve a big slice of designers’ attention

Making V&A Dundee: In Lockdown

Working during the pandemic has been a struggle for so many. While some have found new hobbies, others have rediscovered old ones to keep them busy. When our museum was closed, the only staff allowed in the building were our security team. We spoke to Neil, one of our security guards to tell us more about how he kept himself occupied during this unprecedented time and kept the team in touch with the museum.

Dancing in safe spaces: exploring club culture's queer foundations

From humble house parties to the heaving dancefloor of Paradise Garage, New York's club scene of the 1970s and 80s emerged from the city's LGBTQ+, Black and Latinx communities. Night Fever Assistant Curator Lauren Bassam traces the roots of today's DIY dance culture back to the pioneers who created their own spaces to party.

Behind the scenes of the Scottish Design Galleries rotation

Ahead of our Scottish Design Galleries reopening on 1 July, we talk to our Curator Kirsty Hassard and Textile Conservator Elizabeth-Anne Haldane, about what happens behind the scenes on a gallery rotation.

A match made in Beanotown heaven

The creators of LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and enterprise magazine Somewhere: For Us tell us about the cover for their second issue, a special collaboration with Beano Studios - featuring V&A Dundee!

Taking inspiration from Bill Gibb's Tana dress

Aberdeen-based writer and performer Shane Strachan has long been captivated by Bill Gibb's creations; taking a journey from Fraserburgh, via 1970s London to 19th Century Persia, he explains how the Tana dress became his poetic muse.

Delight in Design: What's on show

We’re so excited to be open once again 🎉

When We Are Together - interview with Chizu Anucha

Glasgow-based artist Chizu Anucha spoke to V&A Dundee about inspiration, the importance of representation, and his experience as a creative practitioner in Scotland.

Cobolt Collective talk about Thinking Out Loud

The Glasgow-based mural team share their new billboard, and the Olympian inspiration behind it...

YPC respond to Sisters with Transistors

Young People’s Collective (YPC) members Aiesha, Catherine and Gareth talk about pioneers, fear of change, and the barriers that women in the music industry still face.

Reclaiming space, responding to challenge

After the signs come down, what is design’s role in tackling gender-based violence and creating safe spaces?

A "tasteless" history of the Paisley pattern

As part of our decolonisation series, we take a closer look at the paisley pattern. Suchitra explores the historic critique of the revered Indian shawl and its British imitations.

Global Pride

Happy LGBT History Month! 🏳️‍🌈

Making V&A Dundee: Stormy Day

We like celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. We saw this striking image of the museum alongside the RRS Discovery on social media and had to share it – it was too good not to! We reached out to the photographer, Marc, and asked if he could tell us more about his work.

Puppet on a string: Fashion shows in covid

Discover how fashion shows have uniquely adapted due to COVID-19 restrictions. Kirsty explores the creative and challenging design process behind Moschino's latest show.

Paisley shawls in literature

As part of our decolonisation series, we take a closer look at the paisley pattern. Suchitra explores the representation of Indian shawls in literature, from Burns to Scott.

Making V&A Dundee: A farewell to Mary Quant

We like celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. When Gina sent us the painting she did of our now closed 'Mary Quant' exhibition, it felt like a fitting way end to show with us. Gina tells us more.

Making-Up the 1960s: Mary Quant Cosmetics

Quant’s playful cosmetics created the look of a new generation, the face of the Swinging Sixties

Mary Quant: An Ongoing Legacy

Explore Mary Quant’s impact on contemporary designers

Makers and Manufacturers panel discussion

Explore the collaborative relationship between maker and manufacturer with our expert panel

Quant and Bazaar

Step inside the world of '60s fashion retailing, transformed by Quant through her boutique Bazaar

A long way from home: the Paisley pattern and India

As part of our decolonisation series, we take a closer look at the paisley pattern. Suchitra reflects on her own experience in India and the Scottish involvement in the evolution of this iconic motif.

Working with Quant

What better way to understand Quant's iconic legacy than by hearing from someone who worked with her? In the video below, Heather Tilbury Phillips shares her memories of the charming personality behind the Mary Quant brand.

Enchanting glimpses through paper windows

We’ve spent much of 2020 looking out of windows at a changing world. What better way to celebrate the festive season than by peering into Laura Sayers’ stunning paper windows for this year’s VADvent project?

A uniform approach

We commissioned textile designer Laura Spring to design a family of surface patterns for our staff uniforms. Used across aprons, bags and scarves, the pieces were produced in collaboration with Halley Stevensons, the Centre for Advanced Textiles and Kalopsia Collective. Laura tells us more about herself and her process.

Pandemic Objects

While we were pulling together our ‘Now Accepting Contactless’ exhibition over the summer, V&A South Kensington worked on their own project reflecting on the coronavirus outbreak. Brendan Cormier tells us all about chronicling everyday ‘objects’ suddenly charged with new urgency.

Possessed: Museum comes alive

It's Halloween! 🎃 With the boundary between the living and the dead blurring on 31 October, our building and objects have become possessed 😱 Don't worry, they're super cute! We asked their illustrator Steven Learmonth questions about his process and love for Halloween 👻

Designing Now Accepting Contactless

Our show ‘Now Accepting Contactless’ explores the design response to the pandemic and how design can help us find a path through this new reality. Studio de Pass Montgomery created a beautiful exhibition design for us. We asked them a few questions about their process.

Invisible geometries: skateboards and new social dynamics

Skateboarding intrinsically focuses on moving through and manipulating space differently. This was explored in Interior & Environmental Design graduate Mickey Fenton’s V//ALLIE project. Using the area around V&A Dundee, Mickey explored how skateboarding can transform spaces and create a new social dynamic within our cities.

Reproducing Quant: Challenges

Costume maker Meridith Towne made stunning replica Quant pieces to support our Learning programme. Since COVID 19 means they can't be handled, Meridith explores her work online instead. Read about the challenges she faced when replicating these designs.

Reproducing Quant: Process

Costume maker Meridith Towne made stunning replica Quant pieces to support our Learning programme. Since COVID 19 means they can't be handled, Meridith explores her work online instead. Read about how she went about recreating vintage designs in a contemporary context.

Reproducing Quant: Legacy

Costume maker Meridith Towne made stunning replica Quant pieces to support our Learning programme. Since COVID 19 means they can't be handled, Meridith explores her work online instead. In the first of our three-part series, read about how Quant’s legacy informed her work.

Making V&A Dundee: Open again

This series usually celebrates creative responses to V&A Dundee, but having recently re-opened the museum during a pandemic, it feels right to celebrate two important groups of people who truly make V&A Dundee what it is: our Visitor Assistants and the people who visit us.

Making V&A Dundee: Open again

This series usually celebrates creative responses to V&A Dundee, but having recently re-opened the museum during a pandemic, it feels right to celebrate two important groups of people who truly make V&A Dundee what it is: our Visitor Assistants and the people who visit us.

Home and dry: designing a raincoat

Designed and handcrafted by KerrieALDO, the Dundee Raincoat pairs artisan skills and attention to detail with the original performance fabric, waxed cotton. Designer Kerrie takes us through her design process.

Quant at home

Ahead of our Mary Quant exhibition, we issued a call-out. We asked you to help us learn more about Mary Quant's impact in Scotland by sharing your memories of her iconic fashion. Take a look at some of the best stories you sent our way.

Open/Close Dundee: Community

Adding colour and style to our streets and winding alleyways, Open/Close Dundee has provided vibrancy, drama and a reason to explore some of the less-visited areas of the city. Russell, the person behind the project, explores community involvement and what’s next.

Open/Close Dundee: Process

Adding colour and style to our streets and winding alleyways, Open/Close Dundee has provided vibrancy, drama and a reason to explore some of the less-visited areas of the city. Russell, the person behind the project, explains how a painted door comes to be.

Open/Close Dundee: Beginnings

Adding colour and style to our streets and winding alleyways, Open/Close Dundee has provided vibrancy, drama and a reason to explore some of the less-visited areas of the city. Russell, the person behind the project, tells us how it all started.

What would Quant do?

We asked 3rd year Textile Design students to answer this question by creating textiles inspired by Quant’s sixties’ rebellion. Tara presents the finished pieces and explores the designers’ approach to the project.

Decolonising our galleries: An introduction

Crucial aspects of Scotland’s history are underpinned by the exploitation of enslaved and colonised people around the world. As we invite you to join us on the journey of decolonising our museum, we want to explain how we’re doing it and why it’s vital.

Webcomics: Cecilia Lee

Documenting the Webcomics project

Sign of the times

Signwriter Rachel E. Millar was set to lead an exciting course at the museum in March. Unfortunately, it had to be postponed, so we asked her to write a sign for us instead. We asked Rachel a few questions about her process and how she became a signwriter.

Decolonising Scotland's design history

Crucial aspects of ​Scotland’s history, and therefore design history, are underpinned by the exploitation of enslaved and colonised people around the world.

Splendid isolation: Bernat Klein’s enviable home

Like most, we’ve had to adapt to the current situation with many of our team working from home. This is a challenge, but our Curator Meredith wonders if some people had it figured out years ago. She explores the late designer Bernat Klein’s beautiful home (with only a hint of jealousy).

Webcomics: Holly Fishman Crook

And the band begins to play

Cast from the past: Encounters with Carron Ironwork

Unlike many other kinds of museums, objects on display in design museums can be ordinary and domestic. But this doesn’t mean their histories aren't fascinating. Meredith explores a once highly fashionable piece of ironwork that you might just end up spotting all over the place.

Making V&A Dundee: Out of Minecraft

This series celebrates creative responses to V&A Dundee. With the museum currently closed due to Coronavirus, visiting us in person isn't possible. Luckily, artist Csian digitally recreated the building! It blows our minds and brings us joy. Csian tells us more.

CrossVAD puzzle

Try our latest crossword with clues inspired by the museum and its themes

Scottish Design Icons: Orkney chair

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month have a seat and read Chris's reflections on the Orkney chair.

Make Works: Simon Meek

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we meet narrative designer Simon Meek, a storyteller who uses design to express that story in different ways.

Webcomics: Gabriele Zubauskaite

I (don’t) deserve to be here

Scottish Design Icons: Norah Geddes

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This month, Russell shines a light on Norah Geddes, an early 20th century landscape designer from Edinburgh.

Make Works: Lynne MacLachlan

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we meet designer Lynne MacLachlan who uses 3D printing technology and colour to play with light, space and colour.

City of ghosts

Happy LGBT History Month 🏳️‍🌈 In this special piece of creative writing, Ryan lets his feet and mind wander through Dundee’s streets as he considers how his unique but relatable story is tied to the city and its architecture.

Webcomics: Emma Oosterhous

Magic Arcade

Hello, Robot. flash fiction: Gaia

From dystopian futures to symbiotic harmony, robots have been a pop culture staple for a century. We commissioned writers to respond to our Hello, Robot. exhibition using fiction to explore the themes presented in the show.

Nicholas Daley: 7 Minutes

Our Studio Nicholas Daley exhibition closes on 2 February, but the designer’s AW20 show just took place in London. Curator Mhairi Maxwell introduces his new collection and finds out how the 7-minute show comes together with help from his collaborators.

Hello, Robot. flash fiction: Hello

From dystopian futures to symbiotic harmony, robots have been a pop culture staple for a century. We commissioned writers to respond to our Hello, Robot. exhibition using fiction to explore the themes presented in the show.

Hello, Robot. flash fiction: Fred

From dystopian futures to symbiotic harmony, robots have been a pop culture staple for a century. We commissioned writers to respond to our Hello, Robot. exhibition using fiction to explore the themes presented in the show.

Designing Hello, Robot.

With broad themes to unpack and big ideas to explore, design studio de Pass Montgomery created an immersive exhibition design for Hello, Robot. at V&A Dundee. We asked them a few questions about their process.

Hello, Robot. flash fiction: Mr Fuzz

From dystopian futures to symbiotic harmony, robots have been a pop culture staple for a century. We commissioned writers to respond to our Hello, Robot. exhibition using fiction to explore the themes presented in the show.

Just add words

There are many ways to engage with objects in a museum: looking at them, photographing them, reading all the text, looking up extra information. Claire presents another way of seeing using the written word.

Seasonal Staples: Christmas jumpers

'Tis the season to explore some of our favourite festive traditions through the lens of design. Love them or loathe them, Christmas jumpers are now ubiquitous. We invited Paul to illustrate his surreal take on this festive staple and fill us in on the unexpected rationale behind it.

Seasonal Staples: Wrapping paper

'Tis the season to explore some of our favourite festive traditions through the lens of design. Whether you rip it off instantly or remove it carefully, wrapping paper is an important part of the celebrations. We challenged Lauren to design a wrap that you wouldn’t throw away.

Webcomics: Danny Barnfield

MÒR AND BEAG: The Saga Of The Linton Worm

Seasonal Staples: Tree decoration

'Tis the season to explore some of our favourite festive traditions through the lens of design. Tree ornaments are often mass-produced and conventional, so we challenged designer Chloe to design an elevated counterpoint to this, with hand-made and sustainability in mind.

Scottish Design Icons: Kaleidoscope

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. One of our smaller objects, the kaleidoscope transforms the world around you. We look through it with Claire Yspol to discover a new creative perspective.

Hello, Robot. A beginner’s guide

Our new exhibition ‘Hello, Robot.’ opened in early November and examines the speculative future of robotic design while questioning the role robots play in our lives. Read on for an introductory tour of the show and its themes.

Webcomics: Amy Galloway

Journ-ee: A day exploring Dundee

How to stand out in a crowded design market

We can’t wait for our very first Festive Design Market featuring over 50 makers from across Scotland. But just how do you pull together such an event? And what can designers do to stand out?

Everlasting bubbles

Soap Opera replicates a sense of the wonder and playful child-like intent that blowing bubbles instils in us. Jenny Kane explores our installation, its creators and the inspiration behind it.

Webcomics: Rayne Zaayman-Gallant

Metamorphosis

Making V&A Dundee: Consideration of light

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. When Joe shared sketches from his university project on Instagram, we asked him to tell us more.

Dundee Pride: Creating a creative identity

Dundee held its very first Pride celebrations in September 2018, one week after our museum opened. (It was quite a week.) Our Digital Producer Russell Dornan talks us through the visual identity he accidentally created for Dundee Pride.

Webcomics: Vincent Bell-Robertson

The Man the Earth Spat Back

Videogames are a girl thing

Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt is on until 8 September 2019. Assistant Curator Lauren Bassam presents one of the videos from the show exploring representation and how diverse perspectives can benefit everyone.

Pride and Protest: Doing it yourself

Pride isn't just a party. With roots in protest, Alice explores how design has empowered the LGBTQ+ community across the decades to stand up defiantly, speak out proudly and celebrate who they are with style.

Scottish Design Icons: Washing up

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Jenny's love of museums and unique kitchen implements collides in the shape of a dish drainer in our collection.

Make Works: Laura Spring

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we meet textile designer Laura Spring who creates bold graphic print designs.

Webcomics: Tony Holdsworth

How We Met

Scottish Design Icons: Draff

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Jennie reflects on a piece of sustainable design that's as beautiful as it is innovative.

Webcomics: Andrew Sztehlo

La Quinta Del Sordo: Goya and the Black Paintings

Making V&A Dundee: In ink and charcoal

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. We spotted Ann's beautiful picture of the museum on Twitter and asked the artist to reflect on her work.

Making V&A Dundee: A draw to artists

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. When we saw Andrew Siddall sat outside sketching the building, we asked him to tell us more.

Make Works: Kate Colin

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we meet designer Kate Colin who works with paper to create homeware, lighting and installations.

Webcomics: Emma Canziani

Ocean Liners

Making V&A Dundee: A creative inspiration

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee possible. A while before we opened, the emerging building reminded Gary Gowans of a certain space opera, leading to his inspired video that went viral across the universe.

Videogames Modding: Castle Smurfenstein to Jurassicraft

Our Videogames exhibition explores the creative process behind playful, radical and provocative games. Lauren Bassam takes a look at how players themselves disrupt and alter existing videogames.

Making V&A Dundee: An artist’s museum

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. Alastair Faulkner reflects on painting our building, having watched it rise from the rubble.

Making V&A Dundee: A photographic study

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee a living, breathing museum. Graeme Hutton explores why he enjoys photographing the museum in different ways.

Making V&A Dundee: Sing with dignity

We're celebrating everyone involved in making V&A Dundee possible. Kicking us off is a touching poem written by members of the choir that performed so movingly on our opening weekend.

Make Works: Ark Colour Design

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with Jane Richards and Amy Lindsay, the Creative Directors of Ark Colour Design.

Creative block: Changing attitudes to play

A colourful installation exploring playful attitudes and ideas, our ‘Rules of Play’ installation was inspired by toy planks used by children all over the world. Jenny Kane explores the origin of the educational toys that revolutionised the industry.

Make Works: Tom Pigeon

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with Kirsty Thomas, Creative Director of design studio, Tom Pigeon.

Plaything’s Progress: Part Two

Development of our new videogame Plaything is well under way. Digital Content Editor Russell gives us an update on the project and explores how important sound is in bringing the game to life.

From the Citizens Theatre to a galaxy far, far away…

In April 2019, the much-admired Star Wars costume in our galleries returns home to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in San Francisco. Curator Meredith More introduces the dress replacing it and explores how they and their designers are connected.

Scottish Design Icons: GameMaker Studio

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. With Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt opening next month, gamer Alan McKay looks at a game making tool that’s allowed him to create experiences for other players.

Make Works: Mackays

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with Judith Davidson, UK Sales Manager for Mackays Ltd.

Plaything’s Progress: Part One

We’ve commissioned a new videogame as part of our upcoming exhibition to shed light on the development process and let the public see how a game comes together. Digital Content Editor Russell explores the first steps in bringing Plaything into the world.

Scottish Design Icons: Christopher Kane

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Ailsa Purdie reflects on her love of designer Christopher Kane and the importance of sibling support in creative pursuits.

Made in Scotland: designing the Queen Mary

With Ocean Liners: Speed and Style closing this month, Curator Meredith More explores Scotland's role in bringing these floating palaces to life through the lens of one the most-loved ships.

Scottish Design Relay: legacy in the making

The first exhibition in our Michelin Design Gallery, the Scottish Design Relay was a national project inspired by a selection of objects from across Scotland, involving young people, designers and cultural partners. Mhairi Maxwell explores how to turn such a diverse project into a focused exhibition and reflects on its legacy.

Make Works: Donna Wilson

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with award-winning Scottish textile designer Donna Wilson.

Beyond the glamour: propaganda and ocean liners

Ocean Liners: Speed and Style reveals the exquisite design detail of the golden age of luxury travel, from the furniture and fittings to the designer dress worn by the lucky few travelling in the first-class suites. Zorian Clayton explores a darker side of these floating palaces.

Scottish Design Icons: Dounreay

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Nicole Sangster recalls childhood moments spent near the Dounreay Fast Reactor, the unlikely cause of her existence.

Make Works: DC Thomson

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with David Powell, Archive Manager at DC Thomson.

VADvent 2018: creating a Christmas mural

In 2017, our #VADvent Instagram project saw 24 designers tackle one door each. This time one person illustrated the whole thing. Nicole explores her process, from where to begin to wanting it to end, and everything in between.

Scottish Design Icons: Basil Spence

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. Today Susan Whyte touches on achieving success and facing setbacks as a designer, through the lens of architect Basil Spence.

Make Works: Edward Smith

We've collaborated with Make Works to showcase the stories behind our products. Today we catch up with Scottish artist and designer Edward Smith.

Q&A with Maeve Redmond

We caught up with designer Maeve Redmond and asked her a few questions about her compelling commission in our Scottish Design Galleries.

Scottish Design Icons: Pringle knitwear

Scottish Design Icons is a series of small articles showcasing the big hitters of Scottish design. This time we celebrate knitwear company Pringle of Scotland for their modern and pioneering approach to fashion.

Lusitania and the First World War

To mark the centenary of the First World War, Curator Meredith More explores how a commercial ocean liner was both designed for and destroyed by war.

ST.MARTiiNS: matching music with cover art

Local band ST.MARTiiNS performed at our 3D Festival as part of our opening week celebrations. Lola Stephen explores their approach to music and artwork design.

Star Wars: Attack of the Clothes

Discover how Trisha Biggar designed some of the most memorable costumes in the universe

Scottish Design Galleries: a beginner's guide

Our Scottish Design Galleries, the heart of V&A Dundee, are the first in the world dedicated to telling the extraordinary story of Scottish design.