Alumni + Founder MarinaTex.

Marinatex

“Diane was my Tutor for my final year project and confident throughout the entirety of my product design degree 2015-2019. Design and creativity lights up Diane with an enthusiasm that is infectious. Her warmth tied with her dhttps://www.marinatex.co.ukeep insight into the design process enabled a safe and productive space to brainstorm. I would leave a tutoring session energised with a head full of new angles to explore. I was working on an unusual project, and at no point was this quashed by Diane. She encouraged me to stay strong, push the boundaries of my creativity and to keep going. This project went on to win multiple design awards including the ‘International James Dyson Award’. Diane was my first port of call throughout my studies, and I highly recommend her to any seeking creative guidance.”

Strategy/Brand/Communication/Digital Designer

Very Own Studio

Diane is a fantastic lecturer, tutor, and mentor. Diane and I worked together at the University of Sussex for several years, where she helped me improve my own teaching practice with some great advice and through observation of her delivery. In the module that we taught together the students that she tutored and mentored were always very happy about the sessions they had with Diane. On top of all this, Diane supervised some of the best projects in Product Design and was usually nominated to receive student-led teaching awards. My experience collaborating with Diane and what I gathered from students was overwhelmingly positive.

Dr Luis Ponce Cuspinera – senior lecturer in engineering, director of teaching and learnings school of engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex - https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p215677-luis-ponce-cuspinera

Alumni + Artist/Product + Experience Designer -

Website

“I studied under Diane Simpson-Little from 2015 – 2018 and completed a BSc Product Design at the University of Sussex graduating with a first-class Honours degree. During my time at Sussex, I found Diane to be a unique tutor, bringing a world of creativity to her job, she has experience in hands on techniques, as well as digital and graphic design, and she constantly researches and teaches different techniques and approaches in design thinking. Diane always encourages her students to think beyond the linear approach putting a high emphasis on user centred design. She encourages all her students to research their subject matter thoroughly and really understands the issues before designing viable solutions to real world problems.

Diane an exceptional tutor, passing on to all her students her great wealth of knowledge and sense of detail and she always allowed her students to grow individually as designers. In my final year she was of huge support and guidance to me particularly with my major project this increased my confidence hugely. Which not only resulted in multiple approaches from potential employers but also being offered a place at Royal College of Art based solely on the strength of my work which Diane was so much a part of.

I cannot speak highly enough of Diane’s professionalism and dedication to her students. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and is always fully conscious of the progressive trends, techniques, and tools that all young designers need to be aware of when going forward. Without her help I wouldn’t have been confident enough to apply and complete a Masters course in Information Experience Design at the Royal College of Art in 2020.”

Senior lecturer in engineering, Director of teaching and learnings school of engineering and Informatics, University of Sussex -

Profile

“Diane is a fantastic lecturer, tutor, and mentor. Diane and I worked together at the University of Sussex for several years, where she helped me improve my own teaching practice with some great advice and through observation of her delivery. In the module that we taught together the students that she tutored and mentored were always very happy about the sessions they had with Diane. On top of all this, Diane supervised some of the best projects in Product Design and was usually nominated to receive student-led teaching awards. My experience collaborating with Diane and what I gathered from students was overwhelmingly positive.”

Alumni + Product experience insights manager at Bayer

LinkedIn

“Diane's passion for the subject of Design is one that is clear and obvious to see. From the shortest of chats, you will quickly be inspired by her enthusiasm for the subject. She has a personality and style, which is easy to be engaged by, and her energy helps motivate both students and staff. Her teaching is always forward facing and of benefit for both students and the design industry”.

Alumni + User experience designer at Google Health.

LinkedIn

“As a tutor, Diane is a great role model and inspiration. Her creative and engaging tutorials are not only inspirational but always delivered with the enthusiasm that she has for the subject. During the time I was tutored by Diane her energy helped to motivate me to try harder and she continually encouraged me to enhance my own learning through self-discovery, experimentation, and professional practice. Diane’s design vision is forward facing, she is always supportive and encouraging, but more importantly she gave me the confidence and freedom to focus on, expand and utilize my strengths and experience in design. Overall, Diane inspired me with her approach to design and design thinking and explained with clarity how this could guide me towards my dream of becoming a professional designer”.

Alumni + Head of the haircare research programme at Dyson

“Diane is first and foremost a designer and an artist. She just happens to be a great tutor as well! Being a creative individual with an eye for detail, she utilises her vast experiences as a senior lecturer in creativity and design and her experience in the creative industries to listen, empathise and translate these to provide individual insight that can not only help you better yourself, to improve and move forwards, but also achieve the results you deserve”.