Without a warm-up lap. Design marathon threw students straight into practice

Three days, one task, and a pace that mirrors real studio work. At the Sutnar Faculty, students once again designed functional objects intended for manufacturing and compelling enough to impress a real client. This year's 3rd Design Marathon was led by designer David John.

Research, sketches, and a design presentation - all completed in under three days. The Design Marathon at the Product Design studio at Sutnar Faculty places students in situations they would never encounter during a regular semester. Under time pressure, they must develop a proposal that could hold its own in real practice. The final object, its use, and its method of production are all evaluated. Yet the marathon is not about a finished product; the students' work is not ready-made goods destined for manufacturing. What matters is the experience and the process itself. It reveals how students think, work, and respond within a defined time frame.

"We simulate a situation where a designer receives a brief and has very limited time to come up with a concept that has a chance of succeeding. In practice, it may be necessary to complete initial conceptual proposals within 2 days. Students develop not only their creativity, but also their ability to work intensively and efficiently," explained Zdeněk Veverka, head of the Product Design studio. He has long championed integrating real-world practice into teaching. According to him, the Design Marathon is not just about designing something: "Students have to think about who will use the product, in what situation, and in what way. The proposal must reflect realistic and achievable technological possibilities."

This year's Design Marathon was led by designer David John, founder of Faktum Design, a studio specializing in industrial design and engineering solutions. Students were tasked with designing a sports water bottle. This seemingly simple product conceals a complex set of decisions, from identifying the right target customer and finding the appropriate ergonomic solution to selecting the manufacturing technology.

The Design Marathon follows a fixed structure. The first day is dedicated to research, defining the brief, and sketching. On the second day, students develop their proposals toward a final form and work out technological solutions. On the morning of the third day, they present their outputs - visualizations and 1:1 scale models. "The output must be convincing enough to capture the attention of a potential client. A good idea is not enough — how you communicate it matters just as much," added the studio head. The Design Marathon is also part of the semester's coursework, with students presenting their outputs again during end-of-term reviews.

The marathon is open to both bachelor's and master's students, who work individually within the shared studio environment. The emphasis is on independent work, though participants are free to seek guidance and consultation throughout. Contact with industry professionals is one of the key benefits of the activity. External lecturers bring a different perspective, a different experience, and a stronger focus on technical and manufacturing aspects. Every designer approaches the process slightly differently, and it is precisely this confrontation of viewpoints that Zdeněk Veverka considers essential for students' development.