The second edition of the Rado Star Prize UK has been awarded to a design student who made a coffee table inspired by the Giant’s Causeway. David Knowles, a student of 3D Design at Northumbria University, made his table using hexagonal columns in Jesmonite, replicating the interlocking basalt columns of the geological phenomenon on the Northern Irish coast. “It has been a great opportunity to showcase my design at Rado Star Prize UK,” Knowles said.  “I am honoured to win the award, especially to have been judged by a panel I admire so much. I hope this will be the start of setting up my design career.”

Among the judges at designjunction London was Bethan Gray, the Welsh furniture and homeware designer who recently unveiled her first watch collaboration, the Rado True Thinline Studs. The judging line-up also included Philippa Prinsloo, Head of Design at John Lewis, and designjunction Event Director Will Sorrell.

The winning entry, called GC18, was selected from a shortlist of ten designs, with each responding to the theme “On Time/Time Off”, with entrants asked to explore the concept of “passing time, enriching life, and products that enhance user’s awareness of where they spend their time”. Knowles received £5000 and a Rado True Thinline Plasma.

Rado has a long history of collaborating with designers from other disciplines. The Star Prize, in collaboration with designjunction, supports young, unestablished designers from numerous fields and gives them a platform to present their work.

Matthias Breschan, Rado CEO, said: “The creativity and thought present in this year’s Rado Star Prize UK entries is very impressive. I am pleased that Rado can help to promote the work of young designers such as David, the Rado Star Prize UK is a great example of Rado’s continued dedication to design.”

“This second edition of the Rado Star Prize UK has challenged the judges with a fantastic selection of projects,” added Will Sorrell, Event Director of designjunction.