New Designers 2025: Upcycling Visions, Bold Futures
The energy. The ideas. The innovation. New Designers 2025 was an exhilarating celebration of emerging creative talent – and bold visions for what a truly circular future could look like in the design industry.
We were proud to be right at the heart of it: sponsoring the UK’s first-ever Upcycling Award, judging outstanding sustainable design entries, and co-hosting a Mini Masterclass that sparked powerful discussion and fresh thinking. This award was a significant milestone for both ReFAB Studio and the wider design industry, where the shift towards thinking more sustainably was evident at this year’s New Designers.
Celebrating The Next Generation of Circular Designers
Our award was created to champion young designers turning waste into exciting new materials and to celebrate those who see circular thinking not as a limit, but as a launchpad for innovation.
The entries didn’t just impress – they pushed boundaries. From reimagined materials and reinvented objects to bold speculative systems and community-driven approaches, each one challenged the status quo.
Congratulations to our brilliant winner, @mfv.archive, and to the three specially commended designers whose work stood out for its conviction, clarity and creativity:
· Martha Lawton (@martha_lawton_)
· Tammy Danielle Davies (@danidaviesdesigns)
· Deryn May (@derynrosecreative)
These designers aren’t waiting for change – they’re already making it happen.
Mini Masterclass: A Movement, Not Just A Talk
Co-hosted by Founder Rewati Prabhu together with our Head of Design and Specialist Textile Trainer Cordelia Blair-Stickland, our Mini Masterclass went beyond the usual presentation – it was a call to action.
We explored how upcycling and upskilling, when embedded in design education and practice, can drive social, environmental and economic impact.
From our own work at ReFAB Studio, we shared:
· Using waste as a medium to spark creative confidence
· Designing with communities, not just for them
· Building regenerative systems that strengthen local livelihoods
At its core, we posed one radical question:
What if we design not just for sustainability, but for shared, ongoing resilience?
The discussion that followed was electric – a sign of the curiosity and commitment of this next generation of design leaders.
Let’s Keep The Conversation Going
To all the students, tutors, professionals and curious minds who visited our stand, joined our talk, or simply stopped for a chat – thank you.
This is only the beginning.
If you’re a university, design institution or organisation keen to explore how upcycling, community engagement and sustainable education can shape your programmes – we’d love to hear from you.
Because this isn’t just a talk. It’s a movement.
You can reach us at: hello@refabstudio.org. We would love to hear from you!