News

March 8, 2018
Introducing the Launchpad London winners

After much deliberation by this year’s three leading judges, 12 LaunchPad winners have been chosen.  Each winner will receive a free exhibition stand at the London Stationery Show in April from which to introduce their product to the industry.

#launchpadlondon

The three judges, Sidonie Warren, founder of design-led stationery retailer Papersmiths, Daniel Mark Carr, global brand director of international art supplies company ColArt and award-winning textile and stationery designer Nikki Strange commented on their judging experience. “It’s been amazing to see such a high standard of creative and varied entries for LaunchPad, particularly with the attention to detail in presentation, packaging and finesse for such newly launched designers and brands.”

Papersmiths founder Sidonie said, “I really enjoyed seeing the product designs and hearing more about how the show is put together.”

Whilst Daniel commented, “It was incredibly difficult judging all the submissions for this year’s LaunchPad as the quality was absolutely top notch! I was so pleased to see applicants from across the UK and from Croatia, Spain and Australia. I was also impressed at the variety of submissions; a clear sign of the exciting future that is in store for the UK stationery industry.”

The 12 winners were chosen from just over 50 entries, and are:

Octàgon Design – a company based in Barcelona producing a range of planners and calendars featuring a pared back minimalist design style.

Back Pocket Notebooks – a premium quality range of pocket notebooks that are designed in Oxfordshire by Justin Avery to inspire and educate.  The niche design range so far covers Web, Space, Cricket, Guitars and will expand to cover the Solar System and Color Theory.

Clipmatic – a Bristol based company which has a patent pending for their minimalist organiser that works with any spiral bound notebook, regardless of size, which are ideal for individual use or easily customised for promotional or corporate use.

Regiftwrap™ – currently available in six classic colours Regiftwrap is reusable gift wrap which maintains its good looks regardless of the number of times is it used. Each sheet is stored in its own reusuable gift tin, soft to handle, tear-resistant and handles sticky tape with ease!

Yo Boki – Inspired by Japanese kawaii culture, this first UK collection of Boki products will feature greeting cards, wrapping paper, notebooks, stickers, collector’s pin badges and its own activity pack and gift wrap set.  It’s time for the UK to claim its own kawaii character and Boki (a little pink heart) is set to start its own wave of positive vibes for children of all ages.

VAU – this premium range of desktop accessories designed in Croatia is refined, understated and made from solid metal. Each piece is designed in-house and combines both traditional and contemporary technologies, with a meticulous final touch from VAU’s craftsmen.

How Funny – this large range of greeting cards and prints are the work of Jez How, based in Brighton.  His unique style is bright, striking and eye-catching with every design accompanied with a funny caption and a great coloured envelope!

Type and Story – a ‘contemporary paper goods brand’ with a graphic design twist founded by London-based graphic designer Niccy Iseman.  Type and Story operates as a mini fashion house, creating two ‘stories’ every year (spring/summer and autumn/winter) that are always different but always use typography and storytelling.  The range includes notebooks, cards, notecards and wall prints.

Not Only Polka Dots – fun prints and cute illustrations are used across notebooks, planners, calendars, clipboards, pencils, pencil cases and greeting cards. Designed in Huddersfield, many elements are currently handmade, so can be customised easily, but in all cases production can be scaled up to meet demand.

High Meadows Stationery – a range of beautiful pencil cases and desk accessories crafted to perfectly accompany other high-quality stationery pieces. Transparency regarding heritage, provenance and workmanship, along with the use of classic materials such as waxed cotton and vegetable-tanned leather, all sourced in the UK and designed in Bolton, make these items unique and desirable.

The Curious Department – a passion for under-appreciated aesthetics found in nature and the notion of transformation led the London-based Curious Department designers to create two great collections of stationery – Metamorphosis and Elemental.  By using the best paper stocks and digital foiling they produce a luxurious feel in an affordable price range.

BATCH.WORKS – HEX is a new modular system to arrange your workspace ensuring everything you need is always to hand. Made from a combination of solid wood and 3D printed magnetic accessories, Hex can be customised with over 50 colours available to choose from.  Designed and made in East London.

All the winning companies will be exhibiting at the London Stationery Show on Tuesday and Wednesday, 24 & 25 April – stationery buyers are urged to come along and see the products, meet the designers behind them, give them feedback and advice and help them onto the next stage in their business – supplying great stationery products to the UK market.




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