collaborating with University of Lancashire
Reflecting on the project, Amanda Bolton, Marketing Director at Crown Paints, said: “We were incredibly impressed by the creativity, thoughtfulness and professionalism shown by the UCLan students. They took our brief and transformed it into a boardroom design that not only reflects our values and brand, but also demonstrates the power of colour and design to create inspiring spaces. Their vision perfectly aligns with our purpose to Make Our World Last Longer, Beautifully, and we are proud to have supported such talented future designers.”
w Inspiring the next generation.
has grown into a fully immersive, real- world experience for students. When UCLan approached Crown for a project brief, the team saw an opportunity to do something different—offering students not just a concept, but a live business challenge to work on. Students were welcomed into Crown and given the chance to explore a real design brief, reimagining a working space within the business. From day one, they were treated as designers— engaging with stakeholders, exploring how the space is used and considering everything from light and layout to the practical needs of the people who use it every day. With support from across the business, including expert colour insight and creative guidance, they were able to approach the project in a way that felt both professional and purposeful. A visit to Material Source Studio added another layer to the experience, opening students up to new materials, ideas and sustainability considerations they may not otherwise encounter at this stage in their studies. It encouraged them to think beyond aesthetics and consider the wider impact of their designs—something that is increasingly
important in the industry. The experience culminated in a presentation to Crown’s senior leadership team. While this could have been daunting, the team ensured students felt supported and confident, even encouraging those who hadn’t planned to present to step forward. The result was an engaging and empowering experience that pushed students beyond their comfort zones in the best possible way. The impact has been clear. For students, it has been a chance to work on something real—building confidence in their ideas, improving their presentation skills and gaining insight into how design works in practice, not just in theory. For Crown, it has brought fresh thinking, new perspectives and the opportunity to connect early with emerging talent. Just as importantly, it has helped strengthen relationships with the next generation of customers. By giving students a positive, hands-on experience with the brand, Crown is building familiarity and trust with the designers and specifiers of the future—those who will go on to influence decisions across the industry.
As part of the Education pillar of Project Possible, Crown’s collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when education and industry come together with a shared purpose. The project gave second-year Interior Design students the opportunity to work on a live brief, reimagining a working space within Crown, while gaining valuable real- world experience and insight into the design industry. Integral to the success of the project were Jo Hickey and a wider team of colleagues, including Richard Bailey, Architecture and Design Consultant, who established Crown’s long-standing relationship with UCLan, alongside Kathryn Lloyd and Jemma Saunders from the colour team whose expertise and delivery were central to the experience. Together, they helped create a collaboration that went far beyond a typical university project. What began as guest sessions on colour
Looking ahead, the project is already set to continue. The selected design will be brought to life within Crown, with the student invited back to see their ideas implemented—creating a lasting connection and a valuable addition to their portfolio. Plans are also in place to repeat and expand the programme, both with UCLan and potentially with other universities, creating even more opportunities to connect education with industry. By investing time, expertise and creativity into the next generation, Crown is not only supporting future talent, but also building lasting relationships that will help shape the future of both the business and the wider industry.
Jo Hickey Learning and Development Manager
Libby-Kate Neal - Winner of Crowns boardroom redesign project
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