DIYWEEK.net

Garden furniture company Hartman UK is set to put two new designs into production created by student designers from Birmingham City University.
The company launched a competition to find talented student product designers, with a futuristic garden table and chairs set designed by Christopher Wall taking first place.

Judges from Hartman's senior team called the design - a resin weave modular table and chairs - "contemporary, aesthetically pleasing, futuristic and colourful".

The third year BA (Hons) Design Studies students were given a brief by Hartman UK to design a new collection for 2013. They were asked to consider commerciality and trends as well as material and production restraints such as shipping container sizes and durability.

Mr Wall won £1,000, while Liling Yao, who came second with her Rocking Chair design, received £500. Both designs will now be produced for Hartman's 2013 collection, which will be showcased at Solex in July 2012.

Hartman UK sales director Paul Facey said: "All the designs were exceptional and our job was very difficult. Each piece of work was professionally presented and totally blew us away. The winner and the runner up stood out particularly in terms of design, style, shape, usability and the wow factor.

"This competition was all about finding a design that could feasibly be brought to market, and we were stunned that we found so many designs that we could do that with. We can't wait to see the amazing creations we've seen on paper become reality."