Pentland Brands returned to the New Designers Graduate Show for the 8th consecutive year, awarding Jack Bradley of Staffordshire University the Pentland Award for his backpack innovation. 

New Designers is the largest creative graduate show in the UK that sees over 3,000 young creatives from 175 Universities come together at the Business Design Centre in London.

A panel of judges from all areas of design at Pentland were tasked with looking for a graduate that demonstrated their brilliant design skills, breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm in their final project and portfolio.

Jack’s work is a fully resolved concept for the traveler that wants to keep organised on the move. The re-thought approach to a traditional backpack demonstrated fantastic problem solving and innovation and the judges were particularly impressed with the clear mass market application and appeal.

Tamara Sivan-Botbol, Design Pool Manager said;

‘Jack’s work was exciting and innovative, it was great to see a product that exists redesigned incorporating such a useful and clever solution. Jack presented very well, he thought of a solution inspired by his own experience from traveling and created this clever rucksack.’

 Jack Bradley, Pentland Award winner, said; 

‘This is a fantastic opportunity. I’d like to develop the backpack further, to take it into production. I’m happy and excited to have my work recognised.’

Jack has won a two-month placement within the Design Pool and we look forward to welcoming him to Pentland Brands. 

Corinna Gardner, Acting Keeper of the Design, Architecture and Digital Department, V&A officially opened part two of New Designers last night. Gardner also presented the coveted New Designers Awards to this year’s most talented design graduates in the fields of: furniture, product, industrial, spatial, graphic, illustration, animation, motion and digital design.

 Sarah Monk, Director of New Designers, said: 

“There’s such a wealth of brilliant ideas at this year’s New Designers that our judges have been spoilt for choice. We’re hugely grateful to our sponsors for their generous support in recognising these talented individuals and providing them with such fantastic opportunities as they take the first steps into their creative careers.”