We’re delighted to announce that Liam Charles will be a judge for our V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2024 – 25.
Liam Charles is a TV presenter who is well known for his time as a contestant on the Great British Bake Off, and now presents Bake Off: The Professionals and acts as a judge on Junior Bake Off. One of Liam’s passions is ensuring baking is acceptable and popular with younger generations, starting at home with his two nephews. He sees baking as a universal language that brings people from all walks of life together and loves to inspire passion for it.
We spoke to Liam about being on the panel and why design is important to him.
What are you most looking forward to as a V&A Innovate judge, and why?
If I’m honest…the creations the students come up with, I really want them to create something that’s outside the box and something that they genuinely care about.
What do this year’s themes of Belong, Celebrate and Transform mean to you?
Belong: It sounds pretty silly but, if you happen to be born into this world, there is a sense of belonging that everyone on this earth is entitled to and should embrace, you are here for a reason regardless of time, duration and circumstances so own it.
Celebrate: anything you do, that’s good (subjective of course) should be championed. By your peers, family, friends even the general public. Most importantly be your own biggest fan!
Transform: Transformation plays a key role as how we progress, improve and obtain results.
Why is design important to you?
I think design maps out the creation of everything we have today, without design there’s nothing. It’s also an indication on how people thought process have changed overtime. Design is a great tool for creating, reflecting, analysing and progressing.
What invention / innovation could you not live without?
Aha maybe the PlayStation! But, most importantly my stand mixers I use to bake with, really got me through some hard times, without them I wouldn’t have a career as well.
Can you share any top tips for students taking part in V&A Innovate this year?
It’s simple…Enjoy it, express yourself. Remember there’s no wrong answer so take risks. DO NOT OVERTHINK!
Register to take part in Innovate 2024 – 25
Could your students design with empathy and challenge the status quo? Register to take part on the V&A Innovate webpage and enter your students’ ideas by 10 January 2025.
V&A Innovate is the V&A’s annual National Schools Challenge offering students in years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to design a solution to a real-world problem inspired by the V&A’s collections.
