ELVTR

From Dungeons & Dragons to Catan, every legendary board game started with one spark – an idea scribbled on a napkin, a late-night brainstorm, a “what if…?” moment. These games didn’t fill tables; they built worlds, sparked friendships, and inspired entire generations of designers. 🐉Dungeons & Dragons Born in a Wisconsin basement in 1974, D&D turned imagination into a shared adventure. Two friends mixed wargames with fantasy novels and created a new kind of play. D&D let players become their characters, sparking modern role-playing and inspiring videogames, podcasts, and even university courses. Today, 50M+ players roll dice and build worlds, and after Stranger Things, its sales tripled overnight. 💸Monopoly Created during the Great Depression, it was meant to teach the dangers of greed. Born from an anti-capitalist tool, it accidentally became the ultimate symbol of capitalism. The familiar tokens and streets appear in 114 countries, in 47 languages, and 100+ special editions – from Star Wars to Fortnite. A reminder that even a critique can turn into a cultural icon & sometimes irony makes the best business model. 💰Catan Three German friends dreamed up Settlers of Catan in 1995: a world of sheep, ore, and trading deals. It introduced “Euro-style” design – strategy without player elimination – and sold 40 million copies across 50+ countries. 30 years later, Catan has become a rite of passage for new players. 👨👩👧👦 Clue (Cluedo) Created by Anthony Pratt while sheltering from WWII air raids, Clue brought whodunits to the kitchen table, turning murder mystery into family fun. Decades later, it inspired films, memes, stage plays, and endless parodies. Sometimes the best ideas come from the wildest places. A reminder that even in dark times, curiosity and clever design can lighten the mood. 🗼Jenga Leslie Scott built Jenga from handcrafted blocks from her childhood in Ghana sold in a London market, each wobble powered by physics and adrenaline.  No board, no batteries, no cards, no dice – just gravity, nerves, and pure tension. Today it’s played everywhere from classrooms to corporate retreats. Simplicity sells. And suspense never gets old. ♟️Chess Over 1,000 years of theory. 600M players. Believed to have evolved from ancient India’s chaturanga, chess spread along trade routes to become the ultimate mind sport.  From medieval courts to a Netflix’s boom via The Queen’s Gambit, chess proves one thing: Good design never goes out of fashion, it evolves, still capturing hearts. Every move tells a story – strategy at its purest. Who says the next iconic board game can’t be yours? 🎲 Learn how to turn your concept into a playable, pitchable game with pros. 📅 UK: Nov 4 https://lnkd.in/dU8jrb75 📅 US: Nov 5 https://lnkd.in/dDycvTVW

I'm gearing up to teach my course in Theatre Production Management with ELVTR from this week. As I review the content for our Sustainability session I'm so impressed by the progress the industry has made in tackling THE challenge of our generation. So many practical, usable tools available, particularly via #TheatreGreenBook and all produced within about 4 years. A model of how resource & information sharing across venues and producers show the route forward. https://lnkd.in/eAYMHpVY

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore – it’s your turn. Our live, instructor-led courses are now running in your time zone. First up: 🎮 Become a Game Writer – 14 JAN–23 FEB Build worlds, characters & dialogue with Kelsey Howard (Minecraft Dungeons, Overkill’s The Walking Dead). https://lnkd.in/dkYzyPay 🤖 AI Solution Architect – 13 JAN–19 MAR Design and deploy end-to-end GenAI systems with Adelina Balasa (Microsoft Global AI Delivery). https://lnkd.in/dZnMZ96m And this is just the start. More courses are on their way: now tailored for your evenings, your industry, your goals. ☝️Enroll now

Before the Oscars, there was the stage. Ever notice how some of the best screen actors trained in theatre first? Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench — all honed their craft on UK stages long before Hollywood blockbusters. Theatre training teaches discipline, stamina, and presence. That’s why McKellen’s Gandalf feels as commanding as his King Lear. From Shakespeare to superheroes, theatre sharpens timing and emotional depth: skills that make performances unforgettable on stage and on screen. And it’s not just actors. Theatre productions themselves often leap to film, and vice versa. Many hits cross the line between stage and screen: 🎬 Les Misérables 🎭 Hamilton 🎬 The Lion King 🎭 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Behind every curtain and camera is one thing in common: production management that makes the magic possible. Budgets, scheduling, cast wrangling, scene changes – all are orchestrated by production managers. Now you can learn how world-class productions actually come to life – from the Royal Ballet to the Young Vic from a Production Manager at the Royal Ballet & Opera. Sarah O'Connor brought to life The Inheritance, Life of Galileo, 12th Night, and more. Currently managing Kosky’s new Ring Cycle. Want to learn how productions like these actually happen? 🎭 Theatre Production Management Course Oct 22 | 6 weeks | Live Online Seats are limited → Join now. https://lnkd.in/dH9fiRbr #theatre #productionmanagement #elvtr #theatreproduction #film #adaptations #acting

From chrome beasts of the ’60s to today’s sleek EVs, car design is more than aesthetics; it’s a mirror of culture, tech, and dreams. 1950s–60s: Postwar optimism hit the roads. Cars grew chrome wings and muscle–rolling symbols of freedom and status. Think Cadillac Eldorado or the ’67 Mustang. 1970s–80s: When fuel crises struck, size shrank. Designs turned boxy, efficient, and practical. Hatchbacks and sedans replaced the highway beasts. 1990s–2000s: Designers swapped pencils for CAD. Curves and aerodynamics returned, and concept cars pushed into sci-fi territory. 2010s–Today: The EV wave changed everything. Minimalism, LED signatures, and futuristic interiors. From Tesla’s Model 3 to Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, eco meets design. Every curve starts with a sketch. Then comes rendering, orthographic packaging, 3D modeling, and CMF detailing. What looks effortless takes hundreds of design choices — behind every era is a designer sketching the future. And you can learn car design from Ege Argüden: ex-Ford designer behind the Bronco Sport, Maverick & Mustang. A pro who’s shaped icons and driven Ford’s electrification strategy. He’s sharing the full pipeline with you: sketch → render → 3D model → portfolio. Automotive Design Course Oct 22 | Live | 8.5 weeks Your ideas can drive the future. Spots are limited → Join now. https://lnkd.in/ddWG9aXt #cardesign #automotivedesign #mustang #bronco #elvtr #sketchingcars #designcourse

Those who CAN do — teach at ELVTR🎓 Our instructors prove that those who can, should teach. They’re working professionals at the top of their fields, sharing not just knowledge, but real experience, mentorship, and industry access. 💡 Here’s what our students had to say about the incredible mentors who inspire them daily. Joshua Fielstra, Film Sound Design instructor “I love that Joshua is a down to earth and approachable person. He is passionate about his work but never seems like an uptight “auteur” or pedantic professor. I also love that he brings on lots of guest speakers so that we have diverse teachers and various networking opportunities.” – Leah Bivens Andrew Wingert , Gallery Management instructor “Andrew was incredibly generous with his time—he stayed after class to answer questions, showing a genuine commitment to supporting students. He always approached the course from the students' perspective, and created an engaging, dialogue-based environment where live questions were welcomed. He was intentional about building relationships and making each student feel seen and cared for.” – Rika Arita Michiel Pruijssers, AI Product Design instructor “I love the expertise Michiel brings to the course, and how he's able to break down such complicated and confusing topics into understandable language. I can really tell he loves talking about AI at every level of depth and gets excited to teach others about it! I appreciate that it felt like there was no such thing as a 'dumb question.” – Ashley Kim Aaron Aikman , Become a Technical Artist instructor “Aaron was able to break down complex concepts into digestible and actionable steps. His patient and supportive teaching style created an inclusive learning environment where everyone, regardless of prior experience, could excel. His accessibility and willingness to offer guidance were invaluable.” – Allison Botkin Adrian R., Become a Game Writer instructor “This course is a treasure trove for anyone aspiring to break into game writing. The lessons, the mentorship, the community – everything about it is designed to uplift and empower. Adrian Ropp is the man! His wisdom, talent, and kindness shine through in every lesson. He has this unique ability to spark motivation and instill belief in yourself.” – Gianfranco Golio Dr. Felicia Guity, DBA, Black Leadership instructor “The course far exceeded my expectations and Felicia Guity is an outstanding instructor. She is very insightful and was able to craft our instructional conversations to real time experiences, all while applying the syllabus topics. I can’t believe class is over so soon!” – Nareen Scott To the mentors, the guides, the experts who inspire every day: thank you. You make learning unforgettable. #WorldTeachersDay #ELVTR #LearningFromTheBest

Just one more month until my Book PR course with ELVTR! 🙌 Interested in breaking into publishing? Curious to understand what publicizing books and authors entails? This crash course in Book PR will provide a comprehensive overview of all that goes into building and executing an impactful publicity campaign — from drafting compelling press materials to coordinating launch events to collaborating with authors and more! You can register for the class here: https://lnkd.in/e7QteSyV. I hope you'll join me!