Victoria and Albert Museum opens free immersive design course for young creatives
The Victoria and Albert Museum has opened applications for a free immersive design course running in early 2026, with places aimed at young people interested in digital design, gaming, and immersive storytelling.
Victoria and Albert Museum has opened applications for a new immersive design course focused on virtual worlds, 3D design, and digital storytelling, according to a LinkedIn post shared by Matthew Drinkwater.
Drinkwater, Director of Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion, took to LinkedIn to highlight the open call for the program, which will run from February to April 2026 at the V&A’s South Kensington site and online.
The V&A is the UK’s national museum of art, design, and performance, and has increasingly used its collections and galleries to support digital and immersive experimentation alongside physical exhibitions.
In his post, Drinkwater outlined that the free course will be delivered across 14 sessions, combining in-museum workshops and online teaching. Participants will work directly with the V&A’s collections while developing 3D objects and interactive environments.
Drinkwater wrote, “Across 14 sessions (in-museum and online), participants will work directly with the V&A’s collections, build 3D objects and interactive environments, and learn from practitioners actively shaping the field.”
The course will conclude with a public showcase at the V&A, with participants producing portfolio-ready work as part of the program.
Focus on immersive storytelling and worldbuilding
The course, titled PORTALS, is designed to explore how digital environments can be used for storytelling across culture, performance, and gaming. According to the course information, participants will experiment with 3D scanning, interactive design, and virtual environments, alongside exposure to AI tools for early-stage concept development.
Drinkwater positioned the course within a broader shift where cultural practice and technology increasingly overlap, writing, “It’s focused on immersive storytelling, virtual worlds and 3D design – very much where culture, technology and creativity are colliding right now.”
The opportunity is open to people aged 18 to 26, with no formal degree requirements. Fifteen participants will be selected, with eligibility based on interest in digital cultures, virtual worlds, narrative design, or video games, alongside a short creative portfolio.
Sessions will take place both on-site at the V&A South Kensington and online via Microsoft Teams, with applicants required to attend the majority of sessions. Applications close on 18 January 2026, with selected participants confirmed in early February.
Drinkwater framed the course as a chance for young people to experiment and build skills in a supported environment, writing, “If you’re 18–26 and interested in digital design, gaming, or immersive storytelling, this course offers the chance to experiment, build skills, connect with others, and develop new creative work.”
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
