Marisa Giannasi, Lecturer in Design at the College, tells us more.
“This is the third year in a row our students have worked on designs for IKEA. They asked HNC Interior Architecture students from Clydebank and Paisley to submit designs for the store’s smallest kitchen, with a full professional brief to create a ground-breaking small-space kitchen that solves every need of modern living.”
The detailed brief included specifications on style, message, and customer profile, and students were asked to produce full documentation of the creative process, including sketchbooks, mind maps, and a regularly updated blog. The final product was a detailed blueprint, presented to the IKEA team in person."
“The students presented their designs in February, and IKEA’s interior design manager Lee McDonald provided some great individual feedback. The work is now being showcased in the popular IKEA canteen, where hundreds of visitors can see our student’s impressive designs. Make sure to have a look next time you’re in!”
IKEA were impressed with all the students work, and it was valuable experience working to a brief for all involved. However IKEA awarded places to three standout students.
1st place went to Clydebank Campus student Joanne Cherry.
“It was great to work with a live client and a fantastic opportunity to design for a world renowned store. It was an even greater experience to actually win 1st prize, I was absolutely gobsmacked!”
“The IKEA staff gave invaluable feedback on our designs. I’ve now been invited to work on 5 new room sets with IKEA, which will be great for my CV, and a great chance to gain top tips from the masters at work!”
“In the future I'd like to work for a Design agency and eventually develop my own business, Deveron Interiors - here's hoping!”
2nd place went to Clydebank Campus student Amy Savage, and 3rd place to 19 year old Ashley Lawson, who travels to our Paisley Campus from Irvine in Ayrshire.
Ashley really enjoyed the project, and is already benefitting from the added exposure.
“Our lecturers were a great help all the way through. They are great at teaching us the software to use to help us with our work. It was my first time using ‘sketchup’ but thanks to the lecturers I found it easy. We also learned how to display our work on a final presentation board.”
“It was challenging to decide on a final design, as even in a small space there are so many options to choose from, but I enjoyed the process; I’d like to think the design part comes naturally to me."
“Coming 3rd when working with students from across our campuses was great – everyone’s work was so different it must have been hard to choose a winner.”
“Since this finishing the project I’ve already been in touch with local companies in Ayrshire to discuss work experience opportunities. The project has also given me an opportunity to have my work noticed in IKEA by the public – it’s great to get exposure beyond our lecturers.”
IKEA were delighted to work again with West College Scotland students, as store manager Helen Aylett tells.
“IKEA Glasgow is delighted to support the West College Scotland curriculum for the 3rd year running, providing a brief for the students to work with, using our modular kitchen system METOD in a small space kitchen. As these rooms are popular within our local market we felt this would be a stretching challenge , but also give an insight into who lives in and around the local area. As always the designs are creative, insightful and individual. Clever use of our product range shows how the students see our products supporting everyday life at home, and giving a solution to a problem, making every day that bit more wonderful.”
(L-R, top) Marisa Gianassi, Lecturer in Design at WCS; Helen Aylett, IKEA Braehead Store Manager; Aileen McCreadie, IKEA Local Marketing Leader; Lee Anthony McDonald, IKEA Braehead Interior Design Manager. (L-R, bottom) Student Winners Ashley Lawson, Joanne Cherry, and Amy Savage.
“It’s always inspiring to see new ideas, and engage with local students, giving them an insight into home furnishing retail and IKEA as a workplace and business, and supporting our goal of being a good neighbour to our local community.”
“The winning student Joanne Cherry will join us for a week of work experience supporting the interior design team. We look forward to welcoming her, and we look forward to working together again on next year’s project.”
It’s been another successful project for West College Scotland students, a chance to work alongside professionals in a real workplace environment – the kind of experience the College encourages all its students to take part in.
