Showcase 2026 Student Spotlight: Kate Magro
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design student Kate Magro and her project 'Emmeline Table-top Vanity'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 19 May 2026
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design student Kate Magro began her project by wanting to create a piece of furniture that empowers women.
"From that starting point," she says, "the concept has evolved into a project that I believe carries a significant message. Domestic furniture has long played a role in shaping gendered behaviour, particularly within private spaces where rituals of care, preparation, and self-presentation take place. Objects connected to these routines are often dismissed as decorative or superficial, despite their strong links to identity, security, and power.
"Within a contemporary context, where many women still navigate unequal access to financial and personal autonomy, there is value in reconsidering how everyday furniture can quietly support independence. This is where the table-top vanity became an ideal typology to explore. Its smaller, compact scale responds to the modern reality of small-space living, while still creating a dedicated and personal place within the home.
"The defining feature of the vanity is a concealed compartment that functions as contingency storage for whatever the user may require. This transforms the piece from a place of ritual into a subtle tool of independence, acknowledging the financial and social vulnerabilities women have historically faced and, in many cases, continue to experience. The hidden compartment is operated through a magnetic mechanism, activated by a ring containing the magnet itself. This introduces another meaningful and sentimental object to the project, one that can be worn daily and passed from mother to daughter as a paired heirloom."
Kate was inspired by the emotional relationship people can have with jewellery. Image by Kate Magro.
The inspiration behind the project
For her project, Kate drew on her interest in exploring themes of feminism, identity, sentiment, and the emotional connections people form with objects - particularly jewellery.
"Nature has also consistently been a key source of inspiration for me, especially flowers. I am drawn not only to furniture designers, but also to fine artists such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, whose powerful use of floral symbolism deeply resonates with me. For my final project, I wanted to bring together these various influences and interests, refining them into a meaningful project that reflects and summarises my journey as a designer over the past four years."
The defining feature of the piece is a concealed compartment. Image by Kate Magro.
The project experience
Working on the project has been an enjoyable experience for Kate. She tells us:
"I believe it is important for projects to centre around subjects you are passionate about, and I valued the opportunity to bring together everything I have learned and been inspired by throughout my time on the course, celebrating it within one final piece of work. As the project spanned many months, there were certainly times when motivation was low and the workload felt intense. Final year is undoubtedly challenging; however, I believe it teaches you a great deal about yourself as a designer."
Kate says the course has equipped her with wide-ranging skills. Image by Kate Magro.
Being part of NTU
Kate considers her time at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) as having been "the best years of [her] life so far". She explains:
"I have made incredible lifelong friends and memories that I will cherish forever.
The course has challenged me as a designer in every way. Through a wide variety of briefs, I gained regular practice and confidence in cardboard modelling, sketching, and CAD, while also having the opportunity to explore many other unique processes, from 3D printing to slip casting, mould making, pewter casting, upholstery, and creating my own materials.
"The course also encouraged and supported an invaluable placement year, which offers excellent industry experience and is a highly effective way to develop professional skills. The first two years of the course prepared me naturally for this opportunity through a combination of practical projects and professional development. Working on live briefs with companies was a great way to build confidence in a professional setting, particularly through delivering presentations and responding to feedback from industry professionals. Creating a portfolio and gaining experience in applying and interviewing for placement roles also provided ideal preparation for securing full-time positions after final year. Overall, I believe each stage of the experience has helped shape me into a more empathetic and well-rounded designer."
Closing remarks
Asked if she would recommend the course at NTU to future students, she responds without hesitation:
"It’s an easy choice. The course offers the perfect mix of varied briefs, group and individual projects, hands-on modelling and making, opportunities to work with industry, and the chance to develop new skills. It encourages you to be yourself and explore your own interests, helping you create products you’re genuinely passionate about. The university itself is located in the heart of a vibrant student city, where everything is within walking distance and there’s always lot of exciting things going on. If you’re considering it, definitely go for it!"
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