The winning design for Scotland’s Baby Box has been announced. Leanne Young’s submission, which featured a forest scene with the Loch Ness Monster and Highland Cows, was selected as the winner.
The black and white design allows families to colour in the box together, making each individual box unique.
The graphic design student from Edinburgh Napier University’s design was one of more than 70 entries in the competition, which was run by V&A Museum of Design Dundee.
Leanne will receive a prize of £1,000 and mentoring from Scottish designers Holly Fulton and Scott Jarvie.
The Baby Box will be given to each newborn child in Scotland and will include essential items such as clothing, nappies and sheets.
The design will be featured on every box as of this summer until March 2019.
Leanne said, “I am delighted to have won the opportunity to design Scotland’s first Baby Box. I’m looking forward to seeing my ideas become reality, reaching the homes of every newborn baby born in Scotland until March 2019. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience from concept to realisation and hope that young families will interact with the design I have created.
“It’s really exciting to be involved with the entire process and I’ve appreciated all the support and encouragement I have received from my mentors so far. The course at Edinburgh Napier has allowed me to develop my graphic design skills and allowed me to participate in this exciting new government initiative.”
Minister for childcare and early years, Mark McDonald, commented, “We want Scotland’s Baby Boxes to become a meaningful part of the lives of parents and children so it was clear the design had to be bold, interactive and inspirational. All of the entries we received certainly delivered and I would like to congratulate and thank all those who took part.
“It was an extremely difficult task trying to pick an overall winner but the judges were in agreement that Leanne’s concept should be the first ever design for Scotland’s Baby Box.
“Not only is it incredibly interactive, allowing families to customise and decorate the box throughout the years, it also acts as a multi-purpose memory capsule. It has space to record key milestones, a family tree and even the baby’s handprints or footprints.
“Although all babies born in Scotland will receive one of these boxes I am extremely pleased that each one will be completely unique to every family.”
Philip Long, director at V&A Dundee, added, “All of the shortlisted submissions to the design competition for Scotland’s first Baby Boxes were creative, inspiring and highly professional. It is clear that the design talent coming through Scotland’s colleges and universities is world-class.
“Leanne’s design shone through in the final judging, as her illustration is exceptional and she’s really engaged with the idea that Scotland’s Baby Boxes should inspire creativity in our nation’s young people and their families.
“Everyone at V&A Dundee is delighted with the result and we look forward to Leanne’s design arriving in homes across Scotland from this summer.”
