The Big Draw @ Brighton

This month-long programme celebrated drawing as a powerful tool for learning and research in higher education.

Staff and students were encouraged to rediscover drawing and explore its role in developing observation, communication and research skills in subjects as diverse as structural engineering, midwifery, physiotherapy, geology, sociology, art and architecture.

Visiting artists ran drawing workshops and over 1,000 students used the specially commissioned 'Drawing a Day' giant folding sheets for visualising concepts, planning projects and mind-mapping.

Staff teams competed in a lunchtime drawing challenge, and one group converted the Creativity Centre into a giant camera obscura.

Pictures and reports were uploaded to Community@Brighton, the university's social networking site, which also hosted 'The Big Scribble', an online drawing competition with weekly themes and prizes.

Further workshops, research projects and an exhibition were planned for the following year to promote the potential of drawing in every academic discipline.