Businesses, designers and entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to find out how new technology can work for them at a series of free workshops during August and September.

The Summer of Design provides an opportunity for small and medium sized businesses in Nottinghamshire to explore innovations in design that may help to resolve business design challenges, respond to new opportunities or lead to new ideas.

A series of free workshop sessions are being held at Mansfield Library, covering a variety of themes, including 3D printing, scanning and laser cutting, a chance to learn how to create a prototype for your design and a design showcase.

At the hands-on workshops, participants will have the opportunity to take part in practical activities, discuss emerging issues with practitioners and experiment and network with like-minded professionals. Ideas with real development potential will be put forward for further work on a one-to-one basis, with appropriate expert design and technical support.

Forthcoming workshops are:

•19 August (12noon-4.30pm) – Introduction to 3D printing, scanning and laser cutting
•2 September (9am-12noon & 12.45-4pm) – Future Factory Open Day, including a chance to use 3D printers, laser cutters and discuss prototyping and manufacturing solutions
•9 September (10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm) – Design Showcase.

The Mansfield Summer of Design is being organised by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with Nottingham Trent University.

For the full programme and to book your place visit www.ntu.ac.uk/summerofdesign

Councillor Roy Allan, Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The workshops are a brilliant opportunity for businesses, entrepreneurs, designers and inventors to find out how to develop their creations and the technology that’s available to help them make their ideas a reality.”

Nottingham Trent University’s Future Factory project provides business support in both Sustainable Design and Product Design practice. It offers creative solutions for eligible small and medium sized enterprise (SME) in the East Midlands. SMEs can benefit from access to specialist research and talent across a broad range of disciplines and work in partnership with the team on expert led and tailor made projects.

Future Factory is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.