From art college to award-winning studio

Zara K Designs is a multi-award-winning product design studio, and the first female-owned business of its kind on Teesside. The company specialises in addressing design challenges that are often neglected or considered unconventional.

Its founder, Zara King, is committed to the idea of inclusive design and believes that equality should be central to product design and development. Zara began her journey at a local art college but didn’t feel ready for university. She spent time teaching before deciding to pursue higher education, and chose product design at Teesside, attracted by the course’s mix of creativity, problem-solving, and design thinking.

The course helped her build confidence in her creative abilities, and she felt supported by tutors with real, practical industry experience, and cites the University environment as inclusive and encouraging. She had always wanted to work independently and to avoid a traditional 9-5 career. During her second year, Zara won a design competition, which helped her begin shaping her business ideas. After graduating, she joined Launchpad, and enrolled in the FUEL programme, which supports early-stage entrepreneurs.

Zara developed her first major project – a redesigned bedpan, which reflected her interest in tackling difficult and unusual design challenges. She credits FUEL with helping to broaden her vision and think more ambitiously about her business.

Since launching, Zara K Designs has grown steadily. The support from Teesside and the FUEL programme was instrumental in helping Zara grow her business. She secured external funding with University support, allowing her to open her own workshop. Receiving her first paid commission was a key moment, helping her overcome self-doubt. She also became part of a wider creative community and began entering competitions, which opened the doors to new opportunities and helped her build a professional network.

Zara’s advice to students and graduates is to be realistic and resilient – but also persistent. She said, ‘I would recommend having a backup plan and staying focused through setbacks. I wish I had been more assertive during the early stages of my bedpan project. But the long delay taught me the importance of being proactive and maintaining momentum.’

Zara is currently working on a prototype as part of her Year of the Bedpan project, which is progressing through testing and funding. She continues to collaborate with Teesside University and is now a high-growth client with Innovate UK.

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