2023-24 “Community” Mini Challenge Winners

Please note: the Mini Challenge is now closed for Design Ventura 2023-24. To participate in the Mini Challenge as well as the main competition next year, make sure to register your school so you’re signed up for our newsletter!

This year’s Design Ventura Mini Challenge is open to students in years 7-11. The theme for this year’s mini challenge is ‘community’, inspired by the Design Museum’s REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion exhibition and our main challenge brief of ‘colour and community’.

Students are asked to come up with an idea for a new product for the Design Museum Shop that connects to community (e.g. communication, group games, getting to know your neighbours, sharing and taking pride in our different local communities). You can see a shortlist of last year’s winning ideas around the theme of ‘wellbeing’ here.

The Mini Challenge prizes student creativity, and ideas do not need to be fully realised or fully realisable. However, participants are welcome to further develop submitted ideas to submit to the main competition, which makes this an ideal ‘taster’ or introduction to Design Ventura if you aren’t sure you’re ready to commit to the full challenge. The Mini Challenge emulates the main competition in asking students to:

• Generate ideas
• Think about materials and sustainability.
• Respond to a brief  
• Pitching ideas

Students are asked to submit an image of their product idea and complete a short form. Winners are announced fortnightly on Instagram from October 2023 until February 2024 and winning students are sent a prize in the post.

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Round 1: ‘The Sport Spinner’ by Emilia, from Europa School.
A colourful spinner with 8 different activities on it, to do with others and help build friendships while being physically active.

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Round 2: ‘Lolyshare’ by Eden, also from Europa School!

A keyring which can be used to cut a lollipop into equal pieces for sharing, encouraging children (and all eaters of lollipops) to be kind and care for others.

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Round 3: ‘Handy Soap’ by Lexee, from Bishop Challoner Catholic School.

Soap to make your hands soft, paired with an app so you can keep yourself and those around you safe while connecting with one another.

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Round 4: ‘Sip Switcher’ by Mathieu, from Salford City Academy.

Combine boring old drinks in new and random ways to share and taste something new with friends and family.

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Round 5: ‘Unity Canvas’ by Pravena, from Newstead Wood School.

A kit with 6 blank canvases and some inspiring prompts for a group to fill in and bring together, creating a unique and collaborative work of art.