Cup design contest results

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Sustainability-savvy students create hedgehog-themed designs for reusable cup competition

Imaginative artwork depicting a hedgehog with coffee beans for its spines has won the first ever Bath Spa University reusable cup design competition, launched for students, in partnership with Huskup.

The competition, which ran throughout November and December 2022, invited the University’s students to create a hedgehog-themed design, with the winning creation being printed ontoHuskups – the cups that are sold from University catering outlets. Huskups are reusable cups made using rice husks and form a key part of the University's efforts to end its use of single-use plastics.

Designs were submitted by students from a variety of courses, with a shortlist of six chosen by the University’s Hedgehog Friendly Working Group. These six finalists were then put to a vote open to the University’s staff, students and alumni.

The winning entry was designed by BA (Hons) Graphic Design student Ella Smith, and will be printed on Huskups and made available for sale during 2023. Twenty-five pence from each sale will be donated to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Ella and runners-up Vi Nelson and Sarah Reece will receive £25 Amazon gift vouchers.

Speaking of her winning design, Ella said:

“My design was created using coffee beans in place of the hedgehog spines to portray the friendly nature of these little animals. I have varied each hedgehog to show how skittish and playful they really are. It is a twist on the energy of a hedgehog, contrasting the natural husk colour with a cutesy pattern.

“I was inspired to take part in the Huskup competition because I value the importance of wildlife preservation. I was excited to collaborate with a brand that so highly cares for the environment.”

The contest was run in support of Bath Spa University’s sustainability strategy, and to further the University’s work supporting wildlife on its campuses. Bath Spa University is currently a Silver Award level Hedgehog Friendly Campus, and this competition, together with the donations from cup sales, will form part of an application for the Gold Award.

Emma Jakins, Sustainability Coordinator at Bath Spa University, said:

“We wanted to find an exciting way to encourage students to buy a reusable cup rather than wasteful, single-use cups. We thought giving students the chance to design their cup would be a great way to demonstrate the talent and creativity here at Bath Spa, and saw this is an opportunity to help hedgehogs at the same time!

“We are very proud to be a Silver Award Hedgehog Friendly Campus and want to share the importance of hedgehog conservation in the UK as far and wide as possible. Congratulations to our winner and runners-up from all at Bath Spa.”

You can find out more about the contest and the University’s sustainability work on the Bath Spa University website.