A range of street furniture including seats, litter bins, planters and cycle stands, based on a design concept by a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student, has gone into production and could soon be appearing in a neighbourhood near you.
Agnete Linikaite took part in a design competition run by manufacturer Marshalls in association with the university’s School of Design.
The students were tasked with creating a street furniture range with first, second and third prizes offered along with a 12 week paid placement.
Agnete won the first prize and the placement and her ‘Stratic’ range of furniture went into production this month.
Agnete based the design on what she saw while on a work placement with a car manufacturer. Marshall’s says this gives the furniture collection a contemporary feel mimicking the lines, contours and finishes found in cars.
Agnete, who graduated with a BA in Product and Furniture Design, said: “Working with Marshalls has been a great experience for me, and allowed me to design products which reflect the experience I gained in the automotive industry whilst on placement.
RELATED NEWS
Come to the next DMU Open Day. Book here.
Fatima's winning design leads to prestigious placement
Design grad uses boat-building skills to come up with new type of seating
“The opportunity to have my design put into production for such a widely recognised company is invaluable.”
Steve Reddington, Commercial Director for Street Furniture at Marshalls, said: “The Stratic range is a fantastic addition to Marshalls’ Street Furniture Portfolio, and is a great example of how collaborating with students can create a beautiful commercial product.
“Working with young industrial designers of the future gives them vital exposure to the industry, as well as bringing never seen before designs to the market.”
Marshalls has fostered close relations with DMU’s School of Design. It means DMU students are able to take up great placement opportunities with a renowned company while Marshalls is able to develop new talent within the industry, bringing exclusive designs to the street furniture market which aren’t available anywhere else.
Marshall’s ran its second competition with DMU’s School of Design earlier this year.
Product and Furniture Design student Fatima Manji won the prestigious three-month work placement and her winning design will go into production next year.
Fatima was one of 12 second and third year Product and Furniture Design students to take part.
Agnete’s Stratic range is manufactured from cast aluminium, steel, stainless steel and sustainably sourced timber.
Marshalls is the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer (using construction materials to alter the landscape) and has supplied some of the most prestigious landmarks in the UK with hard landscaping since the 1880s.
Posted on Monday 3 April 2017