Redbrick partners with Leeds Beckett University for Design Challenge
Redbrick, the North’s leading destination for furniture and interiors, is collaborating with Leeds Beckett University Product Design students to create an original designed product. Supporting the next generation of designers from concept to manufacture, the winning design will be manufactured and showcased in-store at Redbrick.
Sixteen second-year Product Design students from Leeds Beckett University were challenged to design an original item of furniture for a Redbrick customer.
The project began with an immersive visit to the Redbrick complex, the North’s leading destination for furniture and interiors. Home to innovative and essential brand names including Heal’s, Oka, BoConcept, Roche Bobois, Loaf and many more, Redbrick offers an experiential way to discover and choose furniture, inspiring the students to explore ideas rooted in exceptional design.
After presenting their initial concepts, the students received feedback from Redbrick and Zofa — a contemporary furniture retailer based within Redbrick — to refine and develop their designs. Eight concepts were then shortlisted and the students worked in pairs to further develop their designs for potential manufacture.
As part of the development process, the students visited Vale Bridgecraft in Hebden Bridge, Zofa’s manufacturing partner, to gain hands-on experience of the production process and collaborate with the brand’s dedicated in-house product designer with an objective to understand the full process including budgeting and marketing. Vale Bridgecraft is an exceptional British furniture maker with a long-standing reputation for craftsmanship and quality and was recently acquired by Zofa Director, John Hampton.
One design will be selected for manufacture by a distinguished panel, with the finished design unveiled at Redbrick in February 2026. Redbrick will provide a route to market for the winning design.
University and Industry perspectives
Robin Brinkworth, Senior Lecturer of Design at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The second year of the BA (Hons) Product Design programme has a focus on building professional practice skills to prepare students for work in the creative industry. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our partners. Study visits, feedback from professionals and opportunities to develop design work for manufacture within established furniture production environments all add richness to the learning experience of our students.”
Alastair Bailey, Managing Director at Redbrick, said: “Redbrick has always been passionate about the importance of design-led retail experiences and supporting emerging, young talent. This project is a pivotal example of how we can help young designers turn their ideas and concepts into tangible, viable products.”
John Hampton, Operator at Zofa, added: “This partnership with Leeds Beckett University and Redbrick represents supporting young designers as they bring their ideas to life is not only rewarding but essential to the future of British furniture design and craftsmanship.”
