James Cropper, a global market leader in advanced materials and paper products, has partnered with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a live design brief challenging second-year students to develop innovative lighting concepts using the company’s advanced paper materials and moulded fibre solutions.
Part of the university’s Professional Design Practice module, the collaboration offered students real-world experience in sustainable material exploration, product development, and industry engagement. Led by Course Leader Mark Fisher, the eight-week module culminated in a final showcase judged by representatives from James Cropper and Ashlee Pendleton from retail design partner Nest, ensuring the projects were evaluated against market relevance and consumer appeal.
The results were outstanding. Students brought an incredible range of ideas and creativity to the table, producing lighting prototypes that blended functionality, aesthetics, and thoughtful use of sustainable materials.
“We were genuinely impressed by the quality and originality of the students’ work,” said Gareth Fisher, Sales Director at James Cropper. “This kind of collaboration inspires the next generation and challenges us to see our materials in new and exciting ways. Emerging designers must understand the potential of paper-based packaging and advanced fibre materials as sustainable alternatives and platforms for innovation, storytelling, and circular design. They are the ones who will shape what packaging and product experiences look like in the future.”
Jonathan Baines was named the overall winner for his elegant and imaginative lamp design, which will be showcased as part of James Cropper’s presence at the Independent Paper Show, held at Crypt on the Green in Clerkenwell, London, on 11th and 12th June. His prototype will be featured alongside the company’s latest innovations in fibre-based materials, offering exposure to leading creatives and industry professionals. Highly commended students Celyn Lee and William Maddison impressed the judges with their bold and well-executed concepts.
In recognition of their achievement, Jonathan, Celyn, and William will be invited to spend a day at James Cropper’s renowned Burneside Mill – home of the company’s world-class innovation in paper and fibre. They will work alongside the in-house design team on a live brief, gaining valuable, hands-on experience in material-led design and industrial development.
“The opportunity to collaborate with James Cropper created a fantastic, authentic work experience for our second-year product design students,” said Mark Fisher. “The factory visit provided an incredible insight into paper manufacturing, and our students really valued the chance to see the production facilities up close and meet so many different people who work within the business. Receiving feedback and material guidance on their individual paper lantern concepts really helped the students at a critical stage in the design process, and it was brilliant that James Cropper was able to send material samples for the students to use in the prototyping phase.
“We were delighted to welcome Jordan Scott and Gareth Fisher from James Cropper to our studio in Sheffield for an exhibition of creative outcomes at the end of the project. The students really appreciated the care and effort given in providing thoughtful, encouraging, and constructive feedback on all exhibited work. Inviting award-winning student, Jonathan Braines, to exhibit at IPS London in June, as well as seeking to provide a real-world work experience opportunity to him and the two runners up, really shows how committed to supporting and fostering the next generation of UK innovation James Cropper is as a company.”
This partnership underscores James Cropper’s ongoing mission to champion sustainability and innovation while fostering the development of future design visionaries who will redefine the potential of paper and fibre materials.
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