Five young creatives have witnessed their artistic creations come to life through participating in the Nescafé Azera By Design campaign, in collaboration with The Prince’s Trust.
Over the past nine years with By Design, numerous limited-edition designs crafted by emerging talents have graced Nescafé Azera containers, adding a dynamic dimension to their visual appeal. For the third year running, the competition was open to artists and designers of all levels who are supported by The Prince's Trust.
This year’s theme prompted participants to reflect on the world around them and to consider ways to encourage individuals to take positive action. Whether it’s making a difference to the lives of others, their communities, or the planet.
Participants were challenged to ask themselves: What really matters to you in today’s world? How do you try to make a difference in everyday life, and what would you like to inspire others to do?
Winners of the competition include Julie Becaud, 29 from Glasgow, Jay Adlam, 22 from Bristol, Hannah Joseph, 25 from Slough, Esther Johnson, 26 from Kent, and Bethany Davies, 25 from Middlesbrough.
Esther Johnson, 26 from Kent, created one of the five winning designs. Ester battled depression and anxiety during university, and following the decision to leave, found a job in a fabric shop where she crafted special gifts for loved ones.
Esther was introduced to The Prince’s Trust, and through their Enterprise Programme, opened her own business. This boosted Ester’s self-confidence, after years of battling imposter syndrome, and led to her entering the Nescafé Azera By Design competition.
With the brief of ‘Make a Difference’, Ester’s interpretation was to make a difference to someone’s day. “Sunflowers and roses always make me smile, so I wanted to create a design that could make others smile. Becoming a Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust feels like a full circle moment. Being able to share my story and help other young people has been a valuable part of my journey,” said Esther.
One of the other winners, Jay Adlam, 22 from Bristol, rediscovered his passion and confidence in art after joining The Prince’s Trust. Jay said he believed the Nescafé Azera By Design competition was an opportunity that could not be missed.
Speaking on the competition, Jay said, “In my mind, coffee has always left like a blend of community and the environment. To many, coffee is the warming start of their day. I wanted my design to invoke positive emotions for the person having their first cup of the day and the idea of going forward to make a difference in their lives through small acts of kindness”.
This year’s winners will see their exclusive packaging designs grace supermarkets across the nation and each champion will receive a cash prize to boost their creative careers going forward. The limited-edition tins will be available from 2 October in all major retailers.
Honor Hocknell, Brand Manager for Nescafé Azera, said, “I am thrilled to introduce these remarkable designs to supermarket shelves. Exploring the stories behind our winners has been a truly heart-warming experience. Witnessing how this competition has amplified their creativity is nothing short of inspiring.”
“Our partnership with The Prince’s Trust has given By Design a deeper purpose, offering young, talented individuals an even larger stage to showcase their exceptional talent. We are truly thankful for this collaboration”.
The Prince’s Trust, which formed in 1976, helps young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities. Since their partnership launched, Nescafé Azera has donated £280,000 to The Prince’s Trust.
Sylvia Lowe, Director of Brand and Marketing for The Prince's Trust, said “I am extremely proud of the work of these five young people, who’ve demonstrated exceptional creativity and courage by taking part in the Nescafe Azera By Design campaign. This competition showcases young talent and demonstrates the life-changing power of self-belief, support and passion.
“We deeply value Nescafe Azera’s ongoing commitment to our mission of supporting young people and empowering them to realise their full potential.”
Find out more about volunteering opportunities with the Princes' Trust here: Volunteer for us | Support our work | The Prince's Trust (princes-trust.org.uk)
About The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter what their background or the challenges they are facing. They help those from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn.
The courses offered by The Trust help young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities. They support them to find work because having a job or running a business can lead to a more stable, fulfilling life.
Since The Trust was founded by HM The King in 1976, it has helped more than a million young people across the UK, and three in four of those supported over the last five years have moved into work, education or training. They are committed to enabling even more young people to create a better future for themselves. By helping young people today, the benefits for them, their communities and the wider economy will be felt for years to come.
Further information about The Prince's Trust is available at Confidence, courses, careers | The Prince's Trust (princes-trust.org.uk).