Last month, fellow Lincoln graduate Ric Gravina and I headed back to our old Graphic Design course at the University of Lincoln to run a one-day workshop and kick start a project on mobile apps.

We were asked back by new Joint Programme Leader Barrie Tullett to work with the Second Year students. We talked a bit about ourselves and then showcased a number of apps, before briefing the students. We asked them to concept, wireframe, design and prototype an idea for a new app in just six hours and then pitch their idea back to the group. Not long at all, but as ever we were both really impressed, not just in terms of their ideas, but also the way they approached the project.

The 'DJ X' team present their idea to the group.

The winning group was 'DJ X'. Their concept explored the problem of managing music at small parties where a single device is often plugged into a speaker. The app allowed different users to easily vote up and down the upcoming songs and suggest new ones from their own device and without disturbing the current track or unplugging the host device.

We have been back since to help the students develop their ideas further and add some finesse to their interface designs.

It's always great fun and fingers-crossed we will be back again soon.