How University of Chester graduate mum's lockdown toy design secured dream job

Danielle Maw, 28, achieved a first-class degree in product design whilst juggling home-schooling for her two young children during the pandemic as well as commuting sometimes up to five hours to university.

As part of her degree, Danielle designed a boredom-busting children’s toy, Lumi.

This ‘box of possibilities’ can be transformed into a play kitchen, ride along toy, a doll’s pram, a car track or a theatre.

It was designed to ease the boredom and pressures of lockdown restrictions for children and parents and is also sustainable and environmentally friendly.

University of Chester graduate Danielle Maw.

From Todmorden in West Yorkshire, Danielle learnt new digital skills in her degree and created a portfolio of her time at the university which showcases her skills and examples of her work, including Lumi.

She said it helped her to secure the design job at Harp Ceramics, a bespoke bathroom and ceramic showroom in Colne.

She said: “I felt as though I lacked computer aided design experience and my tutor Rebecca Falcon helped me a lot in this respect. She was very knowledgeable on the subject and helped guide me through what I struggled to grasp. I also spent a lot of time self-studying to learn new skills.

“I was trying to home-school two young children during a pandemic and try to fit my studies around them. My parental duties were my first priority and when the kids were finally asleep I would work on my degree.

“Sometimes they would be in the background during lectures and trying to keep them entertained whilst also listening was quite challenging, especially having a young child. I would record the lectures and when the kids were sleeping I would play catch up.

“Although public transport was a nightmare and sometimes I felt like giving up I had a lot of determination to finish the course and achieve what I knew I was capable of.

"Sometimes the challenges that life throw at us make us feel as though we are incapable. I wanted to overcome that perception.”

On top of achieving a first-class degree, Danielle was also highly commended in the University’s annual Art and Design Degree Awards show.

She said: “When I heard my degree result I felt a great sense of achievement and that all my sleepless nights and efforts had paid off. I wasn't expecting to get any recognition at the degree show and that was a lovely surprise.

“I’m looking forward to gaining further experience in this field and hope to buy my first home in the next few months.

“Had I not had the expertise and support of my tutors at the University I don't think I'd have achieved what I have.”

Rebecca Falcon, lecturer in art and design at the University of Chester, said: “Danielle is an impressive graduate. She has juggled two young children, as a single mum, and home-schooled throughout the pandemic alongside her studies.

"Her family had to self-isolate on a number of occasions and her travel time to university by public transport once took up to five hours!

"However, despite this additional pressure, before the end of the year Danielle secured a design job beating hundreds of other applicants. We are incredibly proud of her.”