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28th January 2021

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Mark Taylor Design champions future of kitchen design with scholarship on degree course

British furniture manufacturer and interiors design business Mark Taylor Design is helping raise standards in the kitchen industry while supporting budding designers with the provision of a scholarship in conjunction with TKET for a student on the Foundation Degree Course in Kitchen Design at Buckinghamshire New University.

As well as co-sponsoring student Ben Paddon's course fees, Mark Taylor Design has also employed him as a trainee designer at its Buckinghamshire HQ, where he works closely with the team three days a week alongside his studies. Qualified engineer Ben, (left of picture) who already has a BA in Furniture Design and Craft, was able to join the second year of the three-year, distance-learning course in September due to his existing qualifications and experience.

The industry-led course aims to enhance the skills and prospects of those working in the kitchen sector. As well as lectures using Skype, the work-related degree also includes three intensive residential workshops per year at the university's Missenden Abbey Conference Centre, where industry experts share and discuss different projects to help students understand some of the changing demands and challenges of kitchen design whilst teaching them how to approach design from a well-rounded perspective, which can then be applied to kitchens.

Founded in 1996, Mark Taylor Design is renowned for designing and creating distinctive, bespoke furniture and joinery so is perfectly placed to mentor Ben through the course and help him hone his skills in luxury kitchen design. Last year, the company also launched an interior design and sourcing division and now offers a complete project management service for clients. ?

"We're delighted to be championing the kitchen industry's quest to raise standards among the next generation of designers by working with Ben and supporting him through his degree," says Mark Taylor (right of picture). "All the team are relishing the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience of creating bespoke furniture and interiors with him. In turn, he brings some great ideas to us."

TKET chairman Craig Matson adds: "Ben has a great background with the type of skills the kitchen industry requires. Helping put him through the course enables him to transition into his role at Mark Taylor Design and also gives him a solid foundation from which to build a career in the industry."

Ben, will graduate in 2018 and work for Mark Taylor Design as a qualified designer, says he is thoroughly enjoying applying what he is learning on the course to the projects he is working on with the team:

"I really enjoy creative problem solving and the course really encourages you to look further at ways in which design is constantly changing and evolving so that it works alongside the time we live in."

T: 01628 486707
E: [email protected]
W: www.marktaylordesign.co.uk

6th January 2017