Stamp it! A stamp design competition for schools

British Motorcars, part of the British Technology stamp issue of 1966

The Silverstone Design Challenge is run every year at the Silverstone Innovation Centre, part of the famous Silverstone race circuit – the home of British motorsport. The Design Challenge is run in collaboration with Darren Giles of the National School TC College in Nottinghamshire, and is a national schools competition that focuses on the subject of Design Technology with a real world link.

This year they’ve added a new challenge for younger children – Stamp It! This challenge is for KS2 pupils working in teams of 1-4 to design a brand new stamp on the theme of journeys and travel.

An earlier way of making journeys: Keith Bassford's stamp depicting the original Bath mail coach of 1784, released in 1984

The deadline for registering entries was in January, so applicants are now busily working on their designs. The guidelines state that the images included on the design are up to the applicant, but they must remember to leave room for the Queen’s head.

Judges will be looking for how well the idea fits the theme; so the entrants don’t have to be a brilliant artist to become the winner.

The ultimate way to fly? A stamp depicting the first flight of Concorde, 1966, designed by David Gentleman

The best 10 entries received by the prejudging date of 23rd April will get through to the finals day at Silverstone where the work will be displayed for the judges to see. The overall winner will have the opportunity to work on their design and produce some limited edition products with their design on them.

The BPMA will be providing a prize for Stamp It! winners, and will also be taking part in the judging on 13th July at Silverstone.

For more information about Stamp It! see the Silverstone Design Challenge website.