Here's a chance to be part of the BBC in the North

BBC Workplace is launching two Design Challenges for universities and colleges in the North of England, giving students an exciting opportunity to see their design skills come to life in the BBC's future new home in Salford.

Undergraduates are invited to design a piece of furniture - a phone chair - and a piece of fabric to be used in the BBC MediaCityUK buildings at Salford Quays.

BBC staff will be working in flexible, collaborative, open plan workspaces in the new buildings. Therefore, the phone chair should be suitable for taking confidential phone calls in a quiet space. The chair will be manufactured by Yorkshire-based furniture manufacturer naughtone, who have also set up a Facebook page for the competition.

The fabric should be an original design which can be printed on to contract grade fabric to be used in the buildings as wall covering, screening or curtaining. The overall design should take its inspiration from digital Britain. The fabric will be manufactured by Yorkshire-based textile manufacturer Camira.

Detailed briefs, including deadlines, terms and conditions, and information on how to enter can be obtained by emailing bbcnorthdesignchallenge@bbc.co.uk

The closing date for entries is 30th April 2010 and the winner will be announced at the end of May 2010. It is predicted that the furniture and fabric will be installed in the buildings in March 2011.

Peter Salmon, Director BBC North says: "I'm intrigued by this new challenge we're setting for universities and colleges in the North. I encourage you to take part as it's a chance to have some real input into the buildings the BBC will be using at MediaCityUK. It's also an example of how we want to work - collaboratively and in partnership. I hope everyone who enters has fun coming up with designs for a chair and fabric. Just think whose posterior might be sitting on your chair in 2011 - could it be a CBeebies producer, or Radio 5live or BBC Sports presenter?"

Alan Bainbridge, North Portfolio Director, BBC Workplace says: "This challenge is one of many innovations we are introducing into the design of the BBC's new home in MediaCityUK. As well as working collaboratively, we're also seeking to create a place that provokes smiles and delight. We hope students take this opportunity to show us some great ideas for designs in the buildings before they open to programme makers and audiences."

Additional Information:

• The BBC is moving 2,300 roles from west London and central Manchester to MediaCityUK, Salford Quays by 2011.
• Some of the larger departments in the move include BBC Sport, BBC Children's (including CBeebies and CBBC), BBC Radio 5live and BBC Learning.
• The main aim of this move is to shift the BBC's centre of gravity away from London and better reflect and represent the whole of the UK to licence fee payers.
• Further information about MediaCityUK via this link