Students on the 3D Designer Maker degree were set a live brief by the Staffordshire company earlier this year to design tableware and lighting focusing on wellbeing.
Three winners have been invited to work with Wedgwood in their studios later this year when social distancing allows and have their designs considered for production.
Final year student Ross Mountford, 26 from Meir Park, was selected for his high-end ceramic scent diffuser. He explained: “Most diffusers are just glass jars but I have used a porous ceramic design which allows you to pour scented oil directly on the object eliminating the need for reeds.”
Ross never planned go to university but while working in a supermarket he decided to apply for a foundation degree at Staffordshire University through Clearing.
“After a couple of months I settled in and found the 3D Designer Maker course and I thought this is for me, for the first time since leaving college I felt this is something I truly enjoy. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough before going to university but I feel like I’ve proven I can be.
“It is amazing to be finishing university with my work potentially going into production. This has been an invaluable opportunity to further develop my skills and learn about manufacturing on a large scale from design to casting to the production line.”
Fellow winner Soyida Akhtar, 21 from Oldham, designed modular table lighting and Lavania Vencatasamy, 22 and from Stafford, was also selected for her ‘custard cup’ inspired giftware range.
Soyida said: “Knowing that Wedgwood wanted to continue with my lighting design and believed that it fit well with their brand has given me a boost of confidence in myself as a designer-maker. Also, it felt rewarding to know that I was able to design a product in line with a specific live brief but also apply and implement my skill and ethos as a designer-maker.”
Lavania added: "The experience gained from working with the team and the studios have been amazing, it has really helped push my collection in a more refined, industrial manner."
This is one of several client projects that 3D Designer Maker students have had chance to work on throughout the academic year 2020, including a collaboration with London based furniture specialist SCP who will be exhibiting student work.
Students have also been working on a live brief from Marks and Spencer to design a product for their Homeware core range with a winner being announced this autumn. Six students have been shortlisted and the winner will undertake a three-month placement in London as well as having their product put into production through all M&S stores.
Course Leader Tim Forrester said: “Both SCP and M&S approached us at last year’s New Designers exhibition after being impressed by the high standard of our students’ work, which is real testament to the creative talent we have here on our programme at Staffs.
“It’s been important to continue working with partners and to provide opportunities despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects like these give students a real taste of the industry and helps prepare them for their future careers as designers and makers.”
Join Staffordshire University through Clearing this September and realise your own potential in an ever-changing world. Discover more at https://www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing or call our Clearing hotline on 0800 590 830.