CAMRI | The Student Guide to the Creative Studio in the Digital Age

The Student Guide to the Creative Studio in the Digital Age

Textbook by Doug Specht and Denitsa Petrova, published by University of Westminster Press

Available online now and in print October 16, 2025

In The Student Guide to the Creative Studio in the Digital Age, authors Denitsa Petrova and Doug Specht, along with over twenty industry experts and education specialists, introduce current and prospective learners to the idea of the virtual studio, exploring what it means to be creative in the third decade of the twenty-first century.

This dynamic guide redefines the ‘studio’ concept, expanding it to include any creative space, whether physical or digital, from university environments to home offices and online platforms. It helps readers create an inspiring workspace and excel in solo and collaborative projects. From choosing the right software and hardware to developing soft skills like time management, this book is an essential companion for anyone navigating the creative world today.

The Student Guide to the Creative Studio in the Digital Age challenges readers to reflect on what it means to be creative today and the evolving role of digital in that process. It prompts questions about future creative careers, how studio practices might shift in professional settings, and how to sustain creative momentum over time. In doing so, the book empowers readers to fully harness the potential of the digital creative environment.

‘In this volume, the authors and contributors highlight the vital role of creativity in teaching and learning in the digital age, addressing the challenge of staying relevant in a time when things quickly become obsolete.’
—Dr Greg Auhl, Course Director (Bachelor of Educational Studies) / Adjunct Research Fellow at Charles Sturt University

Denitsa Petrova is a creative practitioner and an educationalist. She is the Director of the Master’s Programme in Digital Media Design at the University of Edinburgh.

Doug Specht is a cultural geographer and educationalist. He is a Reader in Cultural Geography and Communication and Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster.

About Doug Specht

Dr Doug Specht is a cultural geographer and educationalist. His research explores themes related to environmental justice, human rights, and access to education, with a focus on the production and codification of knowledge though cartographic artefacts and in educational settings. In recognition of his work, he has been appointed as a Chartered Geographer and Chartered Teacher. In addition, he has been awarded Advanced Teacher Status, alongside being a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE. Dr. Specht has authored numerous articles and books, including Mapping Crisis, the Routledge Handbook of Geospatial Technology and Society, the Media and Communications Student Study Guide and Imagining Apocalyptic Politics in the Anthropocene. He writes regularly on ethics, environmental and human rights, education, and mapping practices in such publications as WonkHE, The Conversation, Geographical, and for Times Higher Education. Dr Specht is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Geography, Westminster papers in Communication and Culture, and Anthropocenes – Human, Inhuman, Posthuman. He is Chair of the Environmental Network for Central America.