DESIGNERS hungry for success with a passion for innovative furniture ideas have the tremendous opportunity to win a competition which can accelerate their career and help them fulfil their dreams. 

Once again Design Factory, the region’s top not-for-profit design agency, is giving furniture makers from across the East Midlands the chance to win more than £4,000 worth of prizes. 

Launched last year, the competition to find the East Midlands Designer of the Year was a massive hit and has become an annual event in the agency’s calendar. In the last 12 months, momentum around the competition has increased which has led to the Style Editor, Poppy Norton, of Grand Designs Magazine joining the judging panel. The magazine is a spin-off from the hit Channel 4 show fronted by Kevin McCloud on architecture and interior design. 

Poppy said of the competition: “Most good ideas start with an individual, and in an era of big business and mass production it’s incredibly important to support personal creativity and skill. There’s something undeniably special about one-off products, made with love and care by their designers. This award helps to keep craft alive and give a much needed boost to up and coming talents.

Last years’ winner, Eiry Rock, is still enjoying the success the competition has brought her after winning top spot for her space saving children's table and chair. Having recently returned from exhibiting at the most established furniture show in Europe she is now preparing for theUK’s most well respected contemporary interior design show - 100% Design, where she will exhibit her winning product on the Design Factory stand. 

Eiry of Thurcaston in Leicestershire, said: “It’s been an incredible year. The support and funding I have received from Design Factory has allowed me to not only exhibit at a world renowned furniture show - Salone Satellite in Milan but also ……Just 12 months ago I was receiving my prize at 100% and now I’m preparing to exhibit at 100% Design. It all happens so quickly.” 

Runner up from 2007, Pete Wycherley, cannot thank Design Factory enough for the opportunities he has received. Pete designed a concept for a foldaway bookcase and the idea according to the judging panel was ‘inspired’. 

Pete, also Leicester-based, said “I knew I needed the kudos of winning a competition to get my ideas off the page and into a prototype. After winning the Design Factory prize, I applied to Creative Leicestershire and because of the work I had done and the exposure I had gained from the competition it helped me win a £2,000 grant. That money has now allowed me to make several prototypes and pay to be part of the Design Factory stand at 100% Design. Without Design Factory I couldn’t have got this far.”

Clare Edwards, Director of Design Factory, said: “We were thrilled with the standard of entries we received last year and can’t wait to see what this year brings. As an agency we are aware that the region is overflowing with creative talent and anticipate we will receive some incredible designs.

“It’s an honour to help such talented individuals and Eiry and Pete have both shown that with the right ideas and determination you can achieve your goals at your own pace. Design Factory aims to help designers to develop their market potential and create new opportunities. This competition gives us the chance to demonstrate nationally the top quality design-led work created in the region.

“This year’s competition will not differ from the last we will be looking for designs that are innovative, commercial and that demonstrate a real flair for contemporary design.”

The winners will receive:

• A year’s free membership to Design Factory, which includes:
  
  -  the opportunity to exhibit at top national and regional exhibitions and shows
  -  promotion and exposure through the on-line design directory
  -  research opportunities into international markets
  -  new commission opportunities
  -  mentoring and networking opportunities
  
  
• Free PR & marketing consultation worth £450
  
  
• Mentoring and advice from an established furniture designer
  
  
• Showcase at the UK’s leading design show, 100% Design

One lucky runner up will receive a year’s free associate membership which includes:

• Training, business support, one-to-one mentoring
  
  
• Invitation to attend all Design Factory events and seminars
  
  
• Access to Design Factory’s e-newsletter, which includes industry news and details of events and other opportunities
  
  
• Direct links to partnering organisations and networking opportunities

If you think you have got what it takes what are you waiting for, download an application form and competition rules from www.designfactory.org.uk or call 01529 414830 for more info.

Be quick the closing date is Friday 29 August 2008.