Northumbria Design graduate wins award for Most Innovative Product

A 3D Design graduate has won the one of the most coveted prizes at the Northern Design Festival 2015.

Jake Barker, who graduated from Northumbria University, Newcastle, in July and achieved a first class honours degree, was presented the award for Most Innovative Product for his Lux bedside table.

This Northern Design Festival marks the tenth anniversary of Design Event, which works with partners from the Crafts Council, Northumbria University and the RIBA. The Design Event is a non-profit organisation based in Newcastle at the Festival hub which promotes and supports designers and makers working in the North of England. The event contained seven exhibitions of work by more than 50 designers, makers and architects over two floors at the Assembly House in Newcastle.

Jake’s winning bedside table combines traditional processes with a dual-purpose design so that users can position it as either an ambient light, by attaching it to the edge using rare earth magnets, or on the top for a more functional light.

“It felt great to have my work recognised at the Northern Design Event. Getting your work into an exhibition is so rewarding”, said Jake. “Being able to talk to such a variety of people ranging from important figures in the design industry to members of the public is extremely valuable.”

“I wanted to change how users experience and interact with a bedside table and combine two products functions as one. By adding a removable lighting element to the table’s surface, I was able to create a unique and diverse solution that offers users the ability to position the light in a variety of locations to suit their various needs” he added.

And Jake’s efforts were not alone in receiving recognition, with other Northumbria Design alumni also having their work on display at the event. Dan Ziglam and Elliot Brook, who together present their furniture brand under the name ‘Deadgood’, also showcased a selection of products.

Their brand characterises modern British furniture and includes lighting and interior accessories, with new designs fresh from their launch at the London Design Festival. The Northumbria graduates have been recognised at other prestigious events too, winning ‘Furniture Manufacturer of The Year’ at the Mixology 15 Awards.

David Irwin, who graduated from Northumbria University in 2007, was also at the Northern Design Festival with his ‘M’ lamp. David completed a fellowship on the Designers in Residence Programme at Northumbria’s School of Design in 2010 and went on to establish his own industrial design studio in 2011. His lamp is powered by an integrated lithium battery and is an environmentally sustainable cordless product that can be transported pretty much anywhere.

Further successes came from Tools For Everyday Life, which is a project run from Northumbria University’s School of Design.  The project draws its designers from the community of practice that surrounds the 3D Design BA (Hons) and postgraduate Designers in Residence scheme.

Northumbria offers its 3D Design Course to individuals with particular interest in professional areas of furniture, product design and interior design. The course is taught in industry-standard studios and workshops supported by a team of academic staff and technicians who are all practicing designers and skilled craftsmen.

 “The structure of the 3D Design course has allowed me to develop my design skills extensively. Students have access to great facilities and the course is very hands on providing me with the required platform to gain the necessary skills to become an established designer”, added Jake.

“Receiving recognition like this really does give you a sense of appreciation and makes all of the time spent in the workshop worth it. I would like to thank everyone involved at the Northern Design event. I can’t thank them enough for giving me this award.”

For more information about Northumbria University’s 3D Design Course please visit https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/3d-design-ft-uuftfp1/