Sheffield design graduates expand start-up

Three young product designers have launched a business in the heart of Sheffield following help from Transmit Start-Ups.

Richard Bell, Tom McKeown and David Powell have received a £4,500 loan from North East-based Transmit to launch their business, Psalt Design, in Sheffield’s Yorkshire Arts Space.

The team are now planning to market their latest design collection at Tent London, part of the prestigious London Design Festival 2013, from September 19-22.

The trio are recent graduates of Sheffield Hallam University and were inspired by the campus art and design community.

Psalt were initially based in business incubator space at the University, but growth required new studio space.

David Powell said: “We believe in the perfect marriage between craftsmanship and design, using local manufacturers and sustainable materials where possible, to produce a unique collection of products. Our passion is to create things with a twist of intrigue and humour so they are functional but interesting to own and use.

“The Transmit Start-Ups loan is a great boost for us as this cash injection will enable us to exploit our potential and take our business on to the next level.”

Transmit Start-Ups director, Damian Baetens said: “Psalt are a brilliant company who look set to create products which will become nationally recognised. The interest in their work grows every week and with this new product range they are really putting themselves on the product design map.

“All of Transmit’s directors are experienced entrepreneurs so we can also give them mentoring to help them with their exciting growth plans.”

The team has sold its products, which include a hand-blown glass fish tank ‘Bubble Tank’, all over the world.

When the tank was first launched in 2011 their fledgling website had 1,000s of hits a week there was such great interest in the product. They have also exhibited both nationally and internationally at Design Event MART (Baltic, Newcastle), MIKSER Festival (Belgrade, Serbia) and HOME 2013 (Earls Court, London).

Psalt’s latest designs include the ‘Atlas Series,’ a bench and table inspired by architecture; Juxta, a range of wooden clocks; and Myositis, a sheet steel noticeboard for keepsakes and notes.

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