Olly Webb, a design student from Cardiff Metropolitan University, has just won the Young Furniture Makers Design and Make competition.

The Furniture Makers’ Company organised the competition and launched it during autumn 2017. The brief asked students to design a piece of innovative wooden furniture. Subsequently, a number of students went through to the shortlist and then had three months to create their concept.


Axminster stores to exhibit winning piece Farm

Olly, a Masters student in Product Design at Cardiff Met, took first place for his shelving unit called Farm. Second place was awarded to Megan Broome, a Product Design student at Wolverhampton School of Art. Finally, Sophie Hall, a Product Design student at Cardiff School of Art & Design came third.

Axminster Tools & Machinery was the sponsor of the competition and provided materials for the students to bring their designs to life. Additionally, Axminster provided prizes for the competition. First prize consisted of a £1,000 Axminster voucher and a week’s work placement at Axminster. What's more, Olly will have the opportunity to exhibit the piece by rotation in the eight Axminster stores. Second and third prizes were £500 and £100 worth of Axminster vouchers.

The judges agreed that Olly’s Farm was a fresh, stylish interpretation on an existing idea that used a good mixture of materials. The level of Olly’s understanding also impressed them.


Congratulations and thanks from the new Master

Newly appointed Master of the Furniture Makers’ Company Hayden Davies said: “We can’t thank our partner and sponsor, Axminster Tools and Machinery, enough for funding this exciting competition that has given young makers around the UK the chance to bring a design to life. Congratulations to Olly and the runners up for demonstrating such creativity and we hope they go on to have successful careers.”

Axminster's MD Alan Styles added: “As always we are keen to support and promote designing and making in education. It’s good to see that the competition has been so well received across the universities and colleges. And what’s really pleasing is the large variety of entries from many different educational establishments. I hope this is something we can build on for the future.”

It was a great feeling knowing that all the hard work and effort that I put in has paid off. As a young designer, I’m delighted with the positive feedback that I’ve received and I’m really looking forward to seeing where Farm may go in the future.

Olly Webb