New Designers is back with a focus on sustainable materiality – here are our top picks.

A melting pot of the best up-and-coming design talent, New Designers returns to the Business Design Centre in London for its 39th edition.

Taking place across 26–29 June, and 3–6 July 2024, the anticipated event unites design graduates from more than 100 universities across a myriad of disciplines.

The ultimate destination to discovering new talent, one of the show’s highlights is ND Selects, a showcase of the design businesses founded within the last three years. Carefully curated by Future Icon’s very own Louisa Pacifico, and a committee of industry experts, ND Selects provides a crucial platform to designers pursuing their own practice post-study.

With a rich body of future-thinking design concepts to choose from, here are some of our 2024 highlights from the budding designers of tomorrow, who are thinking critically about materials, and eco-friendly, circular design solutions...

Presenting the possibilities of upcycling within modern design, London Metropolitan University graduate, Michael Dairo repurposes old cardboard boxes to craft seating solutions. Meanwhile, Achille Nasard creates biodegradable beach toys using algae-based plastic, and Tereza Kupcikova develops a strong and durable material from wood shavings and algae-based resin.

One of our 24 bio and by-product based materials for 2024 and also forming part of ND Selects, Rosy Napper’s “ReCinder” is a 100% recycled material made from discarded ceramic and waste ash that has been diverted from landfill. Suitable for tiling, furniture and lighting, Rosy continues to pave the way towards a circular materiality for the built environment through her research into waste-based ceramics.

Around the corner from Material Source Studio, Glasgow; Glasgow School of Art’s Siri Hansen redefines the value of discarded plastic by transforming everyday waste into jewellery through her project “Plastic Metamorphism”. Additionally inspired by waste, fellow jewellery designer Liz Willoughby – also chosen for ND Selects – focuses her work on ocean plastics gathered from Scotland's coast. She highlights the unique qualities of these materials, striving for individuality and responsibility in her handmade pieces.

Further championing the future of sustainably-focused Scottish craft and design, Josephine Drew from Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh has crafted a compostable bowl using discarded eggshells painted with a natural tempera made from egg yolk, water and paprika. Continuing on the theme of jewellery design, Louis Wright from Falmouth University integrates living materials like slime mould into costume jewellery, creating pieces that evolve with the wearer.

Dani Middleton from Falmouth University takes a deep dive into consumer hesitance towards biomaterials by incorporating mycelium, seaweed and moss into her designs to promote a circular economy. Also chosen for ND Selects, Selfish Customs specialises in sculptural pieces with a focus on materiality. The Suffolk-based design studio collaborates with local makers, repurposing farming by-products including raw fleece, reed and barley straw to create one-of-a-kind homeware.

Secure your ticket for New Designers 2024 here, and as we enter degree show season, stay tuned for our extended graduate round-up coming later this month.