An Edinburgh Napier student’s forest fairy tale design has been chosen for the national roll-out of Scotland’s first Baby Box.
Graphic Design student Leanne Young’s winning design – which features a forest scene complete with Highland cows, squirrels and the Loch Ness Monster – will be depicted on boxes to be given to every new-born from this summer until March 2019.
Selected from more than 70 entries, Leanne’s illustration was praised by judges for being visually stimulating and for its interactive element - it can be coloured in and customised by each individual family.
The lid of the box also features a castle which represents the family home and can be customised to include information like birth date, weight and times. It can also act as a family tree or be used to record key milestones.
As part of her prize, Leanne will receive £1,000 and exclusive mentoring from leading Scottish designers Holly Fulton and Scott Jarvie.
Leanne Young 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.”
The Scottish Government’s Baby Box initiative will see every newborn baby gifted a box of essential items, such as clothes, nappies and books to help ensure they get the best start in life.
The primary focus of the scheme is to improve child health and to tackle infant mortality. It has already been implemented in a range of countries around the world.
Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald said: “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.”
The competition to design Scotland's first Baby Box was organised by V&A Dundee. Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “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.”