Mark Wells

Mark's research looks at the role digital technology has on our experience of the natural world around us, specifically how digital technology can act as a transitory tool to create belonging in new spaces. He does this using participatory and systemic design methods with speculative design to create design interventions in the physical space that ask questions and raise awareness of our use of technology and the impact on our awareness of time and space and the world around us.

Mark uses participatory design as a tool to provoke questioning and self-awareness of our relationship, experience & understanding with the physical environment. Through this, his practice based research looks at the intersection of art, design and technology and the impact they have in shaping culture and society.

Mark works specifically on projects about social wellbeing and community building that are cross-disciplinary, collaborative and creative, where digital interactive design and user experience is used to build awareness and engagement.

My teaching approach is grounded in the principles of Curiosity, Creativity, Criticality, and Challenge. I encourage students to remain inquisitive in their exploration of ideas, to experiment creatively, and to engage critically with the subjects they study. Central to my practice is creating a participatory led environment where students feel confident in embracing challenge as a necessary and productive part of their development.

I teach across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels within Fashion Communication and Content Creation, supporting students in building a strong balance between conceptual understanding and applied practice. My teaching reflects the demands of contemporary creative industries, where adaptability, innovation, and critical thinking are essential.

I adopt a blended pedagogical approach that combines creative workshops, discussion-led seminars, and interactive lectures. Through these approaches, I aim to foster a collaborative and dynamic learning environment where students can test ideas, develop their confidence, and refine their skills through dialogue and practice.

My approach is rooted in participatory creative processes, where learning takes place through making, reflection, and iteration. I place particular emphasis on exploring new and emerging technologies, encouraging students to critically examine how these tools shape creative practice and communication. This ensures that students are not only technically aware but also conceptually informed and industry relevant.

Currently, I teach undergraduate modules in Content Creation and Fashion Communication with Business Studies, where I support the development of a broad range of creative and professional skills. My teaching covers areas such as speculative design, creative UX design, creative methodologies, graphic design practice and AI, enabling students to engage with both experimental and applied aspects of design.

Through this approach, I aim to cultivate learners who are curious in their thinking, creative in their outputs, critical in their analysis, and resilient in their willingness to take on challenges. Ultimately, my goal is to equip students with the confidence and capability to navigate and shape the evolving landscape of the creative industries.