Lucy Robertson
​I am a design lecturer and researcher with a background in education, entrepreneurship, science communication and design for wellbeing. My research interests are in interactive textiles, craft, entrepreneurship, circular design, marketing and wellbeing. I have a creative mindset and enjoy working with innovative teams utilising a person-centred approach.
I am an Assistant Professor of design at Heriot-Watt University, School of Textiles and Design in the Scottish Borders. I teach across a range of design disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
I am most at home in a creative space with access to prototyping tools and materials. I have taught sailing all over Scotland as well as racing in my own boat at my home club in North Berwick. In the winter, I enjoy hitting the slopes with my snowboard.
For my full professional background, check out my LinkedIn.
For my research outputs, see my Pure Research page here.
Who am I?
​
Where have I
worked?
What can I​
Do?
Clo3D
Research
Innovating
Digital Design
Photoshop
InDesign
Illustrator
E-textile creation
Laser-cutting
3D Modelling
3D Printing
Digital Printing
Screen-printing
Sublimation Printing
Photography
Painting
Drawing
Marketing
Event Organisation
Presenting
Teaching
Sailing Instruction
Science Communication
Enterprise Education
Assistant Professor - Design, Heriot-Watt University,
School of Textiles and Design, Galashiels. January 2022-present.
At Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design, I am the Global Programme Director of studies PGT and a PhD supervisor in design. This involves teaching design across disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Alongside this I am the SoTD Public Engagement Academic Lead, working with colleagues and the public to facilitate university outreach and events. I am currently co-I on a number of research projects looking at products, services and communication within healthcare, wellbeing and sustainability.
My current funded projects include;
- Rubbish Robots - making robots from waste in schools to explore technology, materials and waste streams.
- Design HOPES - an AHRC funded design-led research initiative, collaboratively working between five Scottish Universities, NHS Scotland, the third sector, and design organisations.
- Interactive Waste - exploring how the creation of Interactive textiles and e-textiles can utilise more sustainable practices by unpicking existing projects and working with a network of e-textile researchers to understand the use of different materials as alternatives to traditional e-textile components.
Lecturer, BA & MA Textile and Fashion Design, Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich, England. January 2020-2022
At NUA I led the year 1 BA Textile Design Course introducing students to knit, weave and print, design thinking, industry awareness and research for design. I was subject specialist on the Textile Design and Fashion Design MA Courses supporting the core MA team through designing and delivering subject-specific modules. As part of my teaching, I enjoyed introducing the students to interesting materials and digital processes. Alongside my role here I wrote the final draft of my PhD thesis which was submitted on the 15th of January 2021, I successfully completed my viva in June 2021.
PhD Researcher - Interactive Textiles for Wellbeing & Part Time Lecturer DJCAD, The University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland. January 2017 - January 2021.
As a practiced-based PhD researcher at DJCAD I created interactive textiles and investigated the impact they can have on our health and wellbeing. Alongside this, I I worked as an HPL delivering talks, tutorials and workshops on smart materials. During my studies, I set up the University of Dundee’s first Postgraduate Society and was elected as their President, I am proud to say this society is going from strength to strength.
Sales and Marketing Associate, STAR-Dundee, Dundee, Scotland. March 2017- 2019
Alongside my PhD at DJCAD I worked part-time at STAR-Dundee an aerospace engineering company. I provided marketing, PR and design support for STAR-Dundee such as organising product photo-shoots, managing website content and designing marketing collateral.
Business and Entrepreneurship Teacher, ISSOS, Cambridge, England. July/August 2016.
I developed and delivered a three-week Business and Entrepreneurship course for 13-18 year olds at Queen College, Cambridge. My three-week class schedule included idea generation, talking to customers, developing ideas, prototyping and learning about social business; I designed the course to build up to 5 teams delivering a pitch to a panel of ‘Dragons’. I enjoyed working for a value-led company that embrace enterprise, education and fun.
Enterprise Executive - Communication Events & Training. The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh. 2014 -2016.
Working within the Enterprise Development team of Edinburgh Research and Innovation Ltd my role was to build and deliver a cohesive approach to internal and external communications for everyone from students to industry leaders. I did this using social media channels, working with the Scottish enterprise ecosystem and collaborating with Scotland’s Universities. I worked with the team to organise, design and deliver a range of national events, start-up workshops and bootcamps. I have developed enterprise modules on subjects from marketing to prototyping.
Awards
Science Communicator. Edinburgh International Science Festival. All over Scotland and Sharja. December 2013 - November 2014.
I toured the ‘Fizz Boom Bang’ Chemistry show from Edinburgh International Science Festival‘s Generation Science programme to primary schools throughout Scotland. In November 2014, I worked as a team leader in Dubai managing local science communicators.
Artist in Residence. Edinburgh College of Art. 2013-2014.
As a textile design artist in residence at ECA I assisted the textile staff and technicians in daily tasks. In my first term I helped in the digital printing department, in the second term my tasks were more general. While at ECA I was able to work on her own textile designs and have access to the universities diverse facilities, this resulted in Creative East Lothian being born with the help of LAUNCH.ed the University of Edinburgh's enterprise support.
Venture programme competition winner.2017
Dundee University-
Graduate skills award. 2013.

Venture programme competition winner.2012.
​
Dundee University - Colours awarded for sailing.2012.
​
Duke of Edinburgh - Gold Award. 2008.

Awards
Can I collaborate?
Designer Intern.Future of MOOCS.Sponsored by EDHEC Business School and Google. France/Scotland. June 2013.
I have been working with a team of researchers and
academics to add visual information to their final MBA
project -The Future of MOOCs (massive open online courses). My design work was used in their final presentation and on their website. This was a great collaborative opportunity, working to tight deadlines, depending on digital contact and working together between countries and time zones.
Creative East Lothian 2013-2015.
In 2013 I set up a social enterprise called Creative East Lothian - support for artists, designers and makers in East Lothian. CEL ran artisan fairs, pop up shops and helped local makers and designers set up in their own business's. CEL has now handed the fairs over to the makers themselves to run.
Find out when the next Artisan Fair is here: Facebook/ArtisanFairs
Intern. Genesis Colors. Dehi, India. August 2013
​
While on UKIERI Study India Programme I had the opportunity to intern at Genesis Colors, India’s leading luxury design company, in their design and marketing teams. In the design department, I researched and drew imagery for their future collection and contributed to a final design meeting. In marketing, I worked behind the scenes at a photoshoot and documented the experience on Genisis Colours’ social media channels.
​
Sweetie Shop of Waste Materials Teaching & Research waste material library. Ongoing.
Metamorphosis Exhibition; rethinking waste. The Great Tapestry of Scotland.Curator, organiser and workshop facilitator. January-March 2023.
A Yarn Worth Spinning The Great Tapestry of Scotland.Curator & Organiser.
July 2022. Sonic Garden Interactive Textile Commission for Hillcrest Children’s Home. 2019
Creative East Lothian. Founder. 2013-2015. MOOCS.
Design Intern. France/Scotland. 2013.
3D Consequences. Anarkik 3D. Designer. 2013.
Design Aid. Dundee University collaboration.
Designer. 2012 Board game. Designer. Dundee University. 2011.

Projects
Collaborative Game project. Dundee University.
2012.
Working as the designer with a team of academics I created the visuals, board design and counters for a development board game. This collaboration taught me to work with others and stick to a group brief. The game is still in development. Visuals from this project can be seen in my portfolio.
Intern. Ted Baker HQ, Womenswear Design, London.
Summer 2012.
As an intern at Ted Baker, I circulated the womenswear design department gaining experience in sourcing haberdashery, designing collections and creating digital prints. The placement utilised and stretched my skills in both Photoshop and Illustrator. I was able to observe the composing of a collection for high end stores and assist in the running of a fashion show.
Where have I studied?
Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art and Design, University of Dundee, Dundee.
2017-2021
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD - Interactive Textiles for Wellbeing.
Duncan of Jordanstone college of Art and Design, Dundee.
2010-2013
First Class Honours Degree in Textile Design.
Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.
​2022-2023.
PGCert Teaching and Learning.
School of Textiles and Design,Heriot Watt University, Galashiels.
​2009-2010.
First year completed - Textile Design BA
Leith school of Art. Edinburgh.
2008-2009.
Diploma in foundation studies -Art and Design.
North Berwick High School.
2002-2008.
Advanced Higher A in Art and Design
Higher A in Geography and Higher B in Art, Craft and Design, English and Modern studies.
To request references or a copy of my CV please contact me Hello@lucyrobertsondesigns.co.uk