This summer the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) and its key members have been travelling across the country and hosting online award ceremonies to celebrate the next generation of CEP student designers.

The CEP Student Prize is presented annually to a design student from each of the design courses within the Society’s Course Endorsement Programme.  Awards are given to students who have demonstrated exceptional work throughout their course, and recognise their talents and consistent hard work.

The CSD Course Endorsement Programme formally recognises excellence in both design teaching and study throughout design education. The programme was established to differentiate and support those courses which clearly prepare and develop students practice design to the highest professional standards.

Design student winners at Staffordshire University

This year David Hopwood MCSD attended a prize-giving ceremony at Staffordshire University to present design students, Jordan Weare Powis Assoc. CSD and Riz Bucang Assoc. CSD with their CEP Student Prizes for ‘Best Transport Design Project’ and ‘Best Product Design Project’ respectively. To learn more about their studies and passion for design, we spoke with both Jordan and Riz.

Design Student spotlight:  Jordan Weare Powis Assoc.CSD

Tell us a little about your work:

So, for my final major project I decided to design the exterior of an electric SUV based off Caterpillar’s DNA, as if they were to release an electric vehicle themselves. As they have not produced a vehicle for normal road use. I was originally going to design a pick-up truck however through the process of design and research, I decided against it. I thought that it would be interesting to see how I could make the vehicle look using their DNA as it has not been done. I feel being curious is a great trait to have to be a designer. I also wanted to make the vehicle electric as that is the way forward for transportation, and I wanted to make the vehicle as modern as possible.

What inspired you to become a designer?

I was lucky as I knew I wanted to be a designer from the age of seven when I thought it would be a cool job to design hot wheels for a living, as I was obsessed with them. Naturally, I moved on to wanting to design cars as I got older. However, during college and university I enjoyed designing other products ranging from security cameras through to water bottles. I also love drawing and thought I could put my drawing skills to use (sketching is my favourite part of the design process). I would never want a boring job so being able to design for a living would be an honour to me.

What does being awarded the CEP Student Prize mean to you?

It is a huge honour to me it has made me a proud designer, it means a lot to me as it proves that I can be successful. It has also made my family proud which also means a lot as they pushed me to go to college and university to pursue my dream of getting a job in design. I could not have been happier to receive this award as it is a way to get my foot in to this industry and is great to have on my C.V. making me stand out from the crowd.

What’s next for you? 

I am currently looking at getting my foot in the door with design jobs whether it be work experience, apprenticeships, internships, or a design job in general, I know experience is key in this industry and I want to become a more experienced designer. So, I am hungry for any opportunity that comes my way. Preferably in product design at the minute as I do enjoy it as I feel products vary more and I you can have a lot of fun with it.

Where can we find you?

You can find Jordan via the CSD Find-a-Designer here, or view his end of year project at YES 2021 here.

Design Student spotlight:  Riz Lorenzo Bucang Assoc. CSD

Tell us a little about your work:

I have designed a companion robot called Makkabot. Makkabot works by performing Makkaton sign language to kids aged three to five-years-old who suffer global development delay. It helps them with their speech and language skills, motor skills and cognitive skills. 

What inspired you to become a designer?

The fact that the world is constantly changing through smart innovations to better our lives and the world itself, becoming a designer allows me to be involved in that process.

What does being awarded the CEP Student Prize mean to you?

Being awarded the CEP Student Prize makes me feel really fortunate as this helps me spread my network towards fellow designers, as well as this I feel lucky too as this could open new doors for many opportunities further down my career.

What’s next for you? 

Applying to gain industrial experience through employment is the next step for me; in the mean time I’m using this opportunity to further refine my current skills.

Where can we find you?

You can find Riz and his portfolio via the CSD Find-a-Designer here, or view his end of year project at YES 2021 here.

Are you a design student?

CSD offers Associate membership to individuals who have recently graduated, are in the early stages of their design careers or those with equivalent competence find out more about CSD Associate membership here.

Similarly, if you’re keen to share your work, you can join our virtual show YES 2021 and exhibit your final year project to your peers, the public and most importantly potential employers! Register as a student here.