An Edinburgh Napier University student designer has won first prize at the D&AD Student Awards in the Product Design: Furniture category.

Andy Murray, (22) was the only Scottish student shortlisted for the international design competition for students. There were over 75,000 entries from around the world across the 27 categories.

Matthew Hilton, one of the UK's leading furniture designers, sponsored the furniture award and viewed over 80 entrants in the final stages to determine Andy as the winner.

D&AD recognised the Sea Defence furniture collection that Andy designed in response to the brief. The "elegant, usable and functional" collection of coffee tables and wall mounted shelves are inspired by Sea Defences made from American White Oak or American Black Walnut.

Murray is currently studying the Masters in Interdisciplinary Design course at Edinburgh Napier University. He was recently one of just 15 students from the UK picked to exhibit at the Ideal Home Show 2009. He featured his ‘Kitchen Toolbox’ range of cutlery that couples as essential DIY tools. 
 
He will be returning to London later in July to the New Designers 2009 exhibition, with his 'Made By. . .' collection, inspired by the credit crunch. ‘Made By…is a guide to making personal items - such as bags and wallets - from low cost, recycled materials like tea towels.
 
Murray said: “My recent work is a reaction to the current economic climate, showing how designers need to think in the recession. As the credit crunch ushers in a new age of austerity, this had added impetus to an already growing trend of radical DIY. During a time of austerity designers have to look at what the consumers need and want from products – functionality without compromising on style.”
 
Alex Gilkison, Head of School of Arts & Creative Industries, Edinburgh Napier University adds: “Andy’s achievements are fantastic and a testament to the great work going on throughout the Creative School. Any creative school is best judged by the quality of its students’ creative output. The recognition that Andy is receiving from the industry, especially at the industry renowned D&AD awards, underlines that Edinburgh Napier is getting things right. The teaching, the creative atmosphere and the peer support within the student body all combine to help nurture talent like Andy’s.”