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NTU Product Design graduates celebrate success at New Designers

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design graduate Lara Smith and BA (Hons) Product Design graduates Luke Foster and Ella Stephenson scooped prizes at this year’s New Designers Awards.

    New Designers 2020
    Left to right: Asset Stool by Luke Foster, Lara Smith Wilko Retail Design Award Winner, Abode by Ella Stephenson

    Each year, the prestigious New Designers Awards showcase the best new talent in the design industry.

    Winners are given invaluable opportunities from the renowned organisations that sponsor the awards, such as selling their products and undertaking paid internships leading to new job prospects.

    Lara Smith, NTU BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design graduate, was awarded the Wilko Retail Design Award: Product Design for her creation, the Trio Tray.

    The innovative product allows you to care for your plants without the worry of overwatering, whilst also protecting your furniture from water damage.

    Lara said: “I feel very excited I’ve received the Retail Product Design award for my work. To be recognised for my design process as well as the final outcome is fantastic.

    “I look forward to progressing even further as I work alongside the Wilko design team to bring the product to market.”

    BA (Hons) Product Design graduate Luke Foster won The Sainsbury’s Argos Home Award: Future Thinking – Product Innovation, Design & Furniture for his product the Asset Stool.

    The Asset stool can be adapted to be used as a backrest, side table and tray. In utilising threaded legs to pinch the saddle and seat together, the assembly remains screwless.

    Luke commented: “I feel very grateful to have my design skills celebrated by an acclaimed design company like Sainsbury’s Argos Home!

    “The experience has definitely encouraged me to explore more design avenues for the future of home living.”

    Another NTU graduate from BA (Hons) Product Design, Ella Stephenson, was named as runner up for the prestigious New Designer of the Year Award in association with the Creative Conscience & The Business Design Centre: Social Impact and Design for her final year project Abode.

    Abode, is the first assisted shaving experience for hospitals and care settings; promoting dignity through products, education and campaigns. The user-centred products are designed to tackle single-use plastic, improves patient well-being, supports nurses – all whilst saving the NHS thousands of pounds.

    Speaking to Ella about her award, she said: "I was blown away when it was announced that I was runner up for this incredible award, I didn't expect it at all!

    "This has made me more confident in my abilities as a young designer and I look forward to going into industry and positively making my mark on the world."

    Visit the New Designers website to see the full list of winners from this year’s awards.

    Find out more about our Product Design courses at NTU.

    Published on 18 September 2020
    • Subject area: Art and design
    • Category: Current students; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment