New Designers: Jess Copeland

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to design?
JC: From a young age, I was curious about how things were made and how they worked. My parents often said they knew I’d follow a creative path, and studying Product Design gave me the chance to turn that curiosity into something real. I loved the mix of problem-solving and creativity, especially during live industry briefs where I could test ideas with real-world impact. 
While completing my degree, I experienced design in a professional setting at Frövi, gaining hands-on exposure to the full product lifecycle and the impact of every detail. Thriving in a small, agile team showed me how collaboration and precision combine to create thoughtful, functional, and lasting products, something I’m excited to continue in a team that shares the same passion. 

What does your creative process look like, from concept to completion? 
JC: My creative process starts by identifying a problem and understanding the people who will benefit most, which helps me set clear goals. I explore market trends and user behaviours through research and hands-on observation, then ideate freely, testing multiple directions. I choose my strongest concepts for peer feedback and collaborative discussion to choose the one that best meets the project goals. From there, I refine the concept through prototyping, often using 3D printing, paying close attention to detail and functionality, and finish with a full-scale prototype in finalised materials, bringing together my creative vision. 

Do you feel your personal background or life experiences influences your work?
JC: Absolutely. My background in sport has had a huge influence on who I am today and how I approach a task. Competing as part of a GB team meant countless hours in pools across the country, pushing myself physically and mentally while learning discipline, commitment, and the value of giving 100% to every challenge. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my parents, who helped me reach that level, and those lessons have carried through into design. I approach each project with the same focus, refining every detail to create products that feel meaningful, connect emotionally with people, and make a difference. 

Why did you want to be part of New Designers, and what did it mean to you? 
JC: I’d wanted to be part of New Designers for years, seeing past graduates share their work and connect with the wider design community. For me it was a chance to meet people, hear their stories, and catch up with alumni about their journeys after graduation. The show felt like a real milestone, celebrating the past four years, pushing my abilities, and showing my dedication to creating designs that are meaningful, inspiring, and carefully crafted. Seeing how other designers approached their work reinforces my excitement to keep learning, experimenting, and collaborating with a creative community. 

Where do you see your design career heading next? 
NC: I thrive in collaborative, hands-on design environments and love seeing ideas come to life. I’m eager to get into the industry and be part of a team where I can experiment with new materials, refine details, and contribute to projects that are meaningful and inspiring. My industry placement showed me how rewarding it is to be involved in every stage of the design process, and I want to keep learning from experienced designers while pushing my skills and creating work that connects with people. 

Jess is just one example of the next generation shaping the future of design. Keep an eye out for the next story in our New Designers Love Tag Winners series, where we’ll introduce another standout designer worth knowing.
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