Graphic Design students present innovative recycling concept to royal audience

It’s not often you get to present your design ideas to the future King of England, but that’s what Graphic Design students did when they got the opportunity to present a creative brief in recycling to HRH Prince of Wales last week. 

The students, both studying Level 1 Graphic Design at St Albans Campus presented their innovative solution to recycling and excess waste to the HRH Prince Charles at Clarence House, as part of a brief from the Ideas Foundation.  

Following an energizing breakfast at the Corinthia Hotel, London, the students headed to Clarence House to make their presentation on an idea which uses the ‘power of shame’  to improve recycling behaviour via a ‘BeepBin’ which would sound an alert when something is binned and not recycled. 

The project came together via the Ideas Foundation, which works with 13-19 year olds across the UK giving them the opportunity to work on live briefs from major UK brands and present their ideas to key figures and business professionals. 

Level 1 student Tommy Ash, 17 of Abbots Langley was amazed to get the opportunity to present his ideas to royalty. He said “It was a once in a lifetime experience meeting Prince Charles, getting his feedback on something we have come up with was just amazing.” 

18 year-old Kary Lee from Stevenage said: “I didn’t expect our initial ideas to come so far. I am so grateful to the Ideas Foundation to have met Prince Charles.”

College tutor Huma Yousaf said: “We have a close relationship with the Ideas Foundation.  Each opportunity they have given to our students has even very rewarding and today has been no exception.   Above all, the Ideas Foundation have been very supportive to me and to the students, we are all very fortunate to have had this wonderful opportunity.”

This particular project was hosted with National Grid. Rebecca Forster, Senior Sustainability Adviser said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the class from Oaklands, led by their teacher Huma who has been enthusiastic and supportive from the start.

 “On the day, they gave a great presentation to HRH. They were calm and confident in what was a potentially intimidating situation, and were able to demonstrate their idea in a clear and professional way.”

The duo will now head to the Grand Final at National Grid’s Head Office in May, where they will battle it out with three other schools for the title of ‘winning idea’ which will then go ahead to be implemented by the company.