Press Releases

Hillman wins ITV’s This Morning competition

Ben Hillman, who graduated his degree in Product Design in 2000, was named The Next Big Thing in ITV’s This Morning competition to find the UK’s top talent in interior design.

Interior design guru Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen and ELLE Decoration editor Michelle Ogundehin were the judges responsible for narrowing down the hundreds shortlisted to just four semi-finalists, who were then put to the public vote. The two finalists, painter and decorator Ben and investment banker Annabelle Holland, were set the task of designing a family room in under 9 hours with just a £1000 budget.

Ben was voted as the winner with his bright contemporary design, incorporating a child-friendly chalkboard table, reading corner, and a hideaway media centre to reduce clutter. Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen praised Ben’s “good eye for furniture”, “funky design” and “eclectic wit” that made use of unconventional storage methods and hard-wearing, durable surfaces.

Ben was awarded £1000 in Matalan vouchers and will present a feature on This Morning about interior design.

To see Ben in action, visit This Morning’s website. (http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/thenextbigthing/)