Launched by the bpma (the British Promotional Merchandise Association), the annual competition seeks to create new British designed products for the promotional market, and to focus UK design students on the large and thriving UK promotional industry that will be largely unknown to them.

Global technology company 3M, the perfect sponsor for the award, has been creating innovative products for more than a century, and, of course, invented the Post-It Note – one of the most versatile and popular promotional items ever.

“3M has always put a premium on creativity and innovation, so getting involved with this award makes perfect sense for us,” says Simon Edwards, 3M UK brand manager.

Finalists also spent a morning at 3M HQ in Bracknell, and were given an outstanding and inspiring presentation tour of the 3M Innovation Centre.

Winning designer Andrea addressed the universal issue of safeguarding personal belongings in bags and backpacks by designing an easy to use lock that requires two hands to open it, thus deterring most thieves who work on a quick sleight of (one) hand. Inexpensive and with plenty of branding space, the concept can be tailored to protect business computer bags, backpacks for kids, and shoulder bags, and would be a must for commuters on busy bus, rail and metro journeys.

Bpma director general Gordon Glenister was delighted with the first Design Innovation Award, and commented: “I am always fascinated by the design talent this country has to offer and was particularly excited to receive more than 120 entries for this first year award. Any industry needs fresh innovative ideas and lateral thinking and some of the products we saw have definite commercial application," he said.

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