American Cherry Award Object Competition
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Open to current design students and graduates from the past two years, the competition asks entrants to design a sculptural, hand-held award object crafted from sustainably sourced American cherry. The selected proposal will be developed into a series of approximately 40 finished pieces that will be presented to winners during Clerkenwell Design Week, one of the UK’s most prominent design festivals.
The brief encourages designers to respond directly to the material qualities of American cherry - a premium hardwood known for its fine grain, warm tones and the rich patina it develops over time. Often described as a “character timber”, the wood’s natural variation and depth are intended to guide the design process, inspiring objects that celebrate craftsmanship, storytelling and contemporary design thinking.
Participants are asked to consider the relationship between material, form and use, creating an award object that feels both tactile and sculptural. The final design should be compact enough to hold comfortably in one hand while also incorporating a dedicated area for engraving the recipient’s name, award category and year.
Following the submission stage, a panel including the competition’s appointed professional maker and representatives from Clerkenwell Design Week and Design Milk will select a winning designer or team. The chosen concept will then be refined through a collaborative development process alongside project partners and the professional maker.
The selected designer will receive a £1,000 design fee and the opportunity to see their work showcased on an international stage, celebrating talent and the enduring beauty of responsibly sourced hardwood.
Designers interested in entering can submit a concept description, visuals and a short explanation of their idea via the competition application.
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