Derek Jones
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plug103.bsky.social
Derek Jones
@plug103.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Design at The Open University. EdSIG Convenor for the Design Research Society. Co-Author of Studio Properties (pub Bloomsbury, Autumn 2025).

Also: recovering architect; nihilist (pragmatic); and defender of the Nation of Hilltown.
Firstly, great to see a discerning USB port. But also good to see recognition that NO ONE knows why these things have spin 1.5 and never go in first or second time
September 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Gotta love a uni that has its own branded drain covers and bollards
September 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Just noticed that, with the publication of the new book, it's currently 30% off if you order direct from @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social - that's nearly a tenner off: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/studio-pr...
August 22, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Lovely. Had forgotten that Aberdeen has been doing British #Brutalism since 1463.
August 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Today, we’re at the OU, where it all started and a lot of the book was written.

There’s a lot of Studio in this place: [Apprenticeship > 64 ], [Belonging > 189], and [Habits and Rituals > 262] stick out for me.

Pre-order Studio Properties on Bloomsbury
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/studio-pr...
July 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM
So this. Definitely proto superhero vibes here and less religious zealotry for me.

Ozymandius from watchmen?

Or just Mister Nimbus….
July 21, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Where it started; How it's going ... !

tl;dr - a slight improvement on the starting position ....

It's definitely weird to look back at how this started and see all the gaps, stutters, and 'conceptual placeholders' ** 😀
July 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Get this beautiful thing for 10% off (pre-order) on Bloomsbury website:

www.bloomsbury.com/uk/studio-pr...

Perfect summer (/winter) reading for #design #educators and #researchers!
July 1, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Just in case you're worried, none of these other authors contributed to Studio Properties...
June 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I learned some weird shit about these things in Oslo. The story we’re told about calm, steady Nordic neighbours is just a story when it comes to cloudberries…
June 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
4/

We will be doing a series of tours, events, workshops, gigs, birthday parties, etc.
If anyone wants a bit of that action, get in touch :)
The website for the book is on its way - watch this space!

In the meantime, here’s a few more teasers.

#studioproperties
June 17, 2025 at 12:53 PM
3/

"...deepen your understanding of studio to help you teach, research, or administer design education more effectively and with greater confidence and creativity”

54 'Properties' of studio in total - more than enough to get started with :)
June 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
So the new arrival wanted to go see family before heading back home…
June 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
4 years in the making! Finally here in physical matter: Studio Properties!

This one’s off to London for a visit…
June 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Different brutalist embankment; same principle.

Also raise you a ridiculous amount of ducklings
April 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Audience at today’s Studio Properties storytelling.

Really nice just chilling and basking in the late modernist brutalism of the uni of York :)
April 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
So #studioproperties is in York to kick off our UK tour…

(…of academic conferences)
April 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Post a warning (abstract, German version)
March 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
So Game of Two Halves was a pretty good show - nicely set and played by the QMU gang.

Tough story in a few ways.
November 21, 2024 at 8:22 PM
That time of year when all the afternoon skies look like those from Assassins Creed Rogue

(instalment with underrated art direction, imho)
November 21, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Another #dogofhistory - from tapestry in Tarvit House.

They must have run out of brown thread though…
November 19, 2024 at 11:30 PM
Decoding some whiteboarding.

You know how stuff makes sense at the time but in retrospect not that much... #exhibitA
November 17, 2024 at 5:59 PM