Fred Mow’s recent visit brought a real spark of industry insight to learners at Bexhill College. As Lead Design Engineer at Community Playthings, he spoke with the kind of confidence and clarity that comes from years of hands‑on experience, helping students see how the ideas they study every day translate directly into real design work. He highlighted how every successful product relies on strong teamwork across a business, showing learners that good design isn’t just about creativity but also about communication, problem‑solving, and understanding how different departments work together.
To make the session even more engaging, Fred brought along a children’s trolley and nursery sleeping mattresses, simple products at first glance, but perfect examples for exploring materials, safety, user needs, and the practical decisions designers make. Being able to handle and examine these items helped learners connect theory to real objects, sparking thoughtful discussion and giving them a clearer sense of how professional designers think.
Before leaving, Fred set a design challenge for our Extended Certificate students. This wasn’t just any task; it mirrors a real project Community Playthings is currently developing. For learners preparing for their Unit 3 exam, it’s a rare chance to work on a brief that reflects genuine industry practice, encouraging them to think creatively, justify their decisions, and approach the challenge like emerging professionals.
Visits like this strengthen the link between college learning and the world of work, giving students confidence, motivation, and a clearer picture of where their skills could take them next.
