University News Last updated 28 March 2013
A group of six talented students from Birmingham City University presented their new innovative store designs to the fastest growing retail design and delivery practice in the UK, Green Room Retail. One student has the fantastic opportunity to undertake an internship with Green Room Retail for up to a month, where the student will be exposed to a great wealth of knowledge and experience to further develop their skillset.
The partnership began when Mike Roberts, Creative Director at Green Room Retail and former industrial product design student of The Birmingham Institute of Art & Design, approached Jackie Norton, Design Studies Course Director.
Joanna Birch, Head of Corporate Relations, said: “With increasing focus on design and innovation as the route to support growth in the UK, Birmingham City University are delighted to work with such a highly regarded innovator in store design. Design and Innovation are at the heart of our curriculum design and engaging with leading edge practitioners allows our students to get the quality work experience which differentiates them when applying for jobs. We are delighted that the quality of our students work is being rewarded by such an opportunity and always welcome collaborations of this nature”
The company based at Fort Dunlop, set second year Interiors Design students from the BA Design Studies Programme a brief to design a retail space, where students were required to provide scale models, drawings and the ideas behind their concepts. Green Room Retail came into the University to present students with a live brief outlining their client requirements. The students had the chance to visit the Green Room Retail studio for a tour and to present their interim work, providing students with a taster of industry life and invaluable feedback on their work.
Students and Green Room Retail both benefited from the partnership; students gained a vital insight into how to respond to client briefs and through the vast experience and knowledge provided through the feedback process from the Green Room Retail team. The company had been exposed to the inspirational ideas generated by the students and access to the Design Studies talent pool.
Mike Roberts, Creative Director at Green Room Retail, said: "Green Room are excited to be able to collaborate with some of the best young creative talent in the country. We were very impressed with the innovation and quality of the responses to the brief and look forward to working with Birmingham City University in the future"
The final stage of the project saw Green Room Retails’ Senior Designer Phil Rowberry review all of the student work and short listed six finalists: Marie-Sophie la Perdrix, Clare Watts, Nia Price, Rachel Gwilt, Gary Harewell and Amy Marsh, who recently presented their final formal pitches to the Green Room Retail team.
Marie-Sophie la Perdrix was chosen as the overall winner and will now undertake her internship with Green Room Retail Ltd.