Edinburgh College of Arts Design Competition - Meet our Winner

We are delighted to introduce you to art student Anna Bonsignorio, who is the winner of this year's Strathberry & Edinburgh College of Arts design competition. This is the third year that we have run this competition with the college, seeking out fresh design talent from our home in Edinburgh.  We’re passionate about our future heritage, supporting young people and embracing the creative industries in Scotland.

Anna’s winning design was inspired by the linearity of music sheets. Music is part of Strathberry’s DNA, with our instantly recognisable Music Bar hardware being included on all Strathberry bags. This symbol was originally developed from leather music sheet folios.

In addition to this, Anna drew inspiration from the playful colourful tones of an Edinburgh sky with its ever-changing light display. Sunsets in Edinburgh are rich and warm, dominated with shades of orange and red but sunrises are delicate - with pastel tones. 

We asked Anna a few questions about herself to share with you a deeper insight into the project and her winning design…. 

What made you want to go into art and design?

My primary school teacher was the one who introduced me to art, sparking a passion that led me to spend countless hours drawing and painting. Over time, I explored various creative fields, including architecture, photography, and interior design, before ultimately deciding to focus on illustration. I found myself completely fascinated by how a single image can evoke emotions, tell stories, and convey complex ideas in a way that words alone often cannot. I quickly realised that this was something I had always been drawn to; transforming words and emotions into visual expressions, using metaphors and rich symbolism. For me, design is a powerful way to communicate, adding depth and meaning to words.

You mentioned that music sheets and their lineary were your second source of inspiration, can you tell us a bit more about this and your favourite Scottish music artist?  

Yes, music was my primary source of inspiration for this project. Given that the brief focused on the "heart and soul of music," I immersed myself in Scottish music while working on the design. I spent hours listening to a range of Scottish instrumental music, especially those rich in the iconic sounds of bagpipes, to capture the essence of the culture and translate it into visual form. I aimed to infuse the design with the linear structure of music sheets, drawing inspiration from the organised flow of musical notes. 

As I worked on the project, I also discovered some other contemporary Scottish artists. One of my favourites is Paolo Nutini, a talented Scottish artist whose soulful voice and evocative lyrics resonated with me. Additionally, I've been enjoying the music of Tom Walker and Lewis Capaldi.

What is your favourite Edinburgh vantage to see the sky? 

I love going up to Calton Hill, located in the eastern part of New Town. From there, you can see the entire city from above, and the sky takes centre stage. No buildings or trees are obstructing the view, making the sunsets beautiful. If you're lucky, you might even spot some northern lights at night. If not, you can still admire the amazing starry night.

During my time at Edinburgh College of Art, I had the privilege of having my studio space in Evolution House. The view from there was truly breathtaking. I spent many evenings looking at the sky while working on my art, often taking breaks to go up to the 5th floor to admire the stunning sunsets with the castle right in front of me

What bag are you most excited to see your silk twillie wrapped around? 

I adore the Mosaic Nano! Its compact size and elegant design make it a standout accessory. I find that the twilly adds a unique and stylish touch when it's carefully wrapped around the Mosaic Nano. The combination is eye-catching and brings a whole new level of sophistication to the accessory.

We love to hear what is inspiring our community. Give us a book, podcast, or show/movie we shouldn’t be missing right now.

One of my favourite writers is Alessandro Baricco, an Italian writer, performer, and director. One of my favourite books by this artist is "Novecento," a dramatic monologue. The book tells the story of a newborn who was abandoned on a ship, Novecento. He spends his entire life on the ship, never setting foot on land, and becomes an amazing musician, playing the piano like no one else. The character of Novecento is truly mesmerising, and the book is rich with allegorical depth, offering a truly captivating reading experience. If you're not into reading, you can also enjoy "The Legend of 1900," a film adaptation of Alessandro Baricco's book directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.

You can shop Anna’s winning print here.