Redbrick x Leeds Beckett University Design Challenge
Redbrick collaborated with Leeds Beckett University Product Design students, over the 2025/26 Academic Year, to create an original designed product. Supporting the next generation of designers from concept to manufacture, the winning design has now been manufactured and is currently showcased in-store at Redbrick.
Sixteen second-year Product Design students from Leeds Beckett University were challenged to design an original, functional piece of furniture for a Redbrick customer.
The project began in 2025, with an immersive visit to the Redbrick complex, 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.
Following initial concept presentations, the students received feedback from Redbrick and Zofa - a contemporary furniture retailer based at Redbrick - to refine and develop their designs. Eight concepts were then shortlisted, with the students working 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 production experience and collaborate with the brand’s in-house product designer with an objective to understand the full process including budgeting and marketing.
The eight Design Concepts were judged by Redbrick together with highly experienced industry Design professionals, who also provided advice throughout the process to successful completion.
The Clover footstool, designed by Harry Bucknill, was the winning design selected for manufacture by Zofa.
Comprising four individual pieces, each with internal storage, Clover offers flexible use. The units can be arranged together as a footstool or used separately as footstools, coffee tables or side tables. Each piece aligns with the corner of a chaise sofa, allowing the units to sit neatly alongside it while maintaining a cohesive design.
Now manufactured, the finished Clover design is showcased at Redbrick.
