Book Bench Design Competition

Design a new book bench for a local primary school.

Background information

For many years, Loughborough town centre was home to a series of book benches – designed to look like open books and painted with artwork from Ladybird books. The license for these benches has now expired and Charnwood Borough Council has procured new benches which are in the process of being installed.  

The book benches are being donated to local primary schools, but they need new designs painted on them before they move to their new homes. Charnwood Borough and Loughborough University’s Community Warden Team are partnering on an opportunity for students to get involved in this project and contribute to the local community. 

The competition

We are looking for a total of five student designs for the book benches.  

The benches are made of fiberglass and are mounted on concrete bases.  Each bench measures 134cm (w) x 105cm (h) x 70cm (d) and the bases is 160cm (w) x 90cm (d).

The designs must be suitable for primary school children (ages 4-11).  

Designs must be original and cannot include any established characters or branding e.g. Disney or TV characters, which would require a license. Designs should not include the use of AI or artwork from other sources.  

The new book benches are expected to have a long life in their new homes and therefore the designs should not date quickly. 

Your design can cover the bench and its base, or you may wish to paint the base a plain colour to offset the bench. Please show this on the design you submit.  

You can include your name/artist signature in the design. 

If your design is chosen as one of the winners, then you will be expected to paint it onto the bench yourself. Painting will take place in the Market Yard, off the Market Place in the town centre. Charnwood Borough Council will provide materials and will varnish the finished benches. Painting will take place throughout October with completion by the end of that month. Winners will liaise with staff from Charnwood Borough Council over access to the Market Yard. You must be able to work to this deadline if you enter the competition. 

There are specialist markets taking place in the Market Place on Sundays in October (5, 12 and 19). Charnwood Borough Council would like to organise painting sessions on these dates for some of the winners, so that members of the public can see the work in progress. This would be an opportunity to promote yourself, but it is not compulsory that winners take part in this. Details will be discussed and agreed with the winners.  

This competition is your opportunity to have your work showcased in the local community. Charnwood Borough Council and Loughborough University will organise publicity for this project, which you will benefit from. You may be invited to attend the installation of your bench in its new home. LU Arts will promote the winners and their designs on their social media channels and website.  

All five benches will be photographed, and this visual documentation will be shared with you. You will be able to include these images in your portfolio, if you have one. 

Being part of this project will also help you gain experience in responding to a brief and the practical process of turning a design into the finished product.  

This competition is open to all current students at Loughborough University (UG, PGT and PGR). It does not matter what course or subject you are studying.  You must be available to paint your design onto your bench during October 2025. 

We are committed to inclusivity and representing the student community we serve. We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds.  

We want this opportunity to be accessible to all students. If you would like to discuss any accessibility issues in advance of applying or to discuss how the opportunity can be made inclusive for you, then please email LUArts@lboro.ac.uk or call 01509 222948.  

Deadline for applications – 5pm on Wednesday 9 October 2025  

The winning entries will be selected by Monday 13 October 2025.   

Deadline for completing the book benches – Friday 7 November 2025. 

The judging panel will include representatives from Charnwood Borough Council and Loughborough University, including LU Arts. 

Please submit your design via the Microsoft Form. Please upload your design as part of the application and make sure the filename includes your name.   

Enter the book bench competition

Deadline for entries: 5pm on Wednesday 8 October 2025

If you have any queries relating to this competition, then please email LUArts@lboro.ac.uk.