Future Pioneers 2013: winners announced

We're delighted to announce our first ever Future Pioneers discovered at New Designers.

Future Pioneers is our new scheme to to celebrate and nurture young designers. At New Designers 2013, an exhibition for emerging designers, our esteemed judging panel picked five out of 1,400 graduates to become the Design Council's first ever Future Pioneers.

The winners will be rewarded with a programme of promotion and bespoke support, including a chance to exhibit their work at 100% Design, the UK's largest design trade event in September.

Future Pioneers aims to raise awareness of the positive impact design can have by providing a platform for designers with the potential to contribute to economic growth and solve social problems in inspiring and exciting new ways. 

Meet our Future Pioneers 2013:

Joshua Barnes, University of Brighton

Augmented Quilt

As a means to combat symptoms of loneliness experienced by children staying long periods of time in hospital, the Augmented Quilt opens up an additional line of communication between the child and their loved ones. Each animal illustration on the quilt can be linked to a friend of family member, who can in turn leave digital messages.

Lucie Barouillet, Central St Martins

ImPatients

The project aims to improve the health outcomes of those with type 1 diabetes by stimulating debate. Lucie conducted in-depth interviews with diabetes patients and captured the findings with a range of outputs, from DIY insulin pumps to built-in tattoo kits, to provoke exciting new conversations. 

Sam Clifford, De Montfort University

Mycofilter

Mycofilter is an organic filter to neutralise contaminated water in lakes and rivers before naturally decomposing. Mycofiltration uses live mushroom filaments called mycelia to catch and digest harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and synthetic pollutants. 

Fiona Harkins, University of Dundee

Make&Get 

An iPad app to encourage resourcefulness in crafting. Users input materials they have in the house and the app outputs projects they can create. The app also allows users to share materials ensuring less waste and building communities. 

Matt Wilson, Plymouth College of Art

Conflict Free Electronics 

Demand Conflict Free Electronics is an awareness campaign that aims to educate people about conflict minerals being used in electronics. The campaign animates a script using simple vector graphics to illustrate a powerful story to convince people to support charities and demand a stop to conflict minerals being used in electronics.

Our judging panel consisted of:

• Bethan Gray: Award winning furniture designer
• Mat Hunter: Chief Design Officer, Design Council
• Will Knight: 100% Design
• Angus Montgomery: Design Week 
• Jane ni Dhulchaointigh: Sugru
• Jay Osgerby: BarberOsgerby
• Tom Tobia: Social design