A STUDENT in Trowbridge has won two prestigious awards for his product design work at Bath College.

Charlie Ruck, 18, has won the awards for his final major piece, a free-standing desk light which he designed and made at home during lockdown.

Charlie won the People’s Vote and the Principal of Bath College Award for art and design.

Mr Ruck, of Crawley Crescent, Trowbridge, has been studying art and design at Bath College for the past three years.

Charlie said: “I designed a desk light in the style of Russian avant-garde and constructivism.

“I designed and made it during lockdown from paper, board, spray paint and used a LED light bulb.

“Use of geometric forms, asymmetrical compositions and bold colours led me to the development of my design.

"I was inspired to choose that style by a trip to Budapest in January.

“I started with a conceptual prototype and it took me a good month and a half to make the finished product design. I submitted it the day before the hand-in deadline on May 27.”

Up to 50 students in the Bath College Art & Design Department voted for the People’s award, and Charlie’s product design came out top.

His winning design was then put forward for the Principal of Bath College Award for art and design.

Mr Ruck added: “To be honest, I was really surprised to get the People’s vote from students in the college art and design department and then the Principal’s Award.

“I received the awards online in June in a ceremony broadcast on the Bath College website and on YouTube. They were unable to hold it at a venue in Bath because of the lockdown.”

Charlie’s mother, Claire Ruck, said: “My husband, Jason and I are extremely proud of Charlie’s achievement. He has worked so hard and all throughout lockdown he has been beavering away.

“He was shortlisted for three awards, including one for industry, and the feedback from industry has been amazing.”

Before going to Bath College, Mr Ruck was a pupil at St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge, where he gained GCSEs in graphic design and materials.

Mr Ruck is now awaiting his Level 3 Product Design results before heading off to Falmouth University in Penryn, Cornwall, in September, where he’ll study a three-year BA (Hons) degree in Sustainable Product Design.