Nesta and University of the Arts London’s (UAL) Climate Emergency Network are inviting UAL students and recent graduates to unleash the power of creativity and imagination to support the UK's journey to cutting climate pollution. We want to create attention and excitement around heat pumps - an established fossil-free technology for heating homes, but one which is relatively new to most people in the UK.

This project aims to bring together creativity, design and innovation to spark fresh ideas about what heat pumps could look like and highlight their transformative potential in cutting pollution.  

The competition is designed for students to create pieces of artwork that re-imagine and design heat pumps, whether through product design, graphic design, painting, ceramics, photography or textiles. We are looking for creative responses that create attention and interest in heat pumps by positioning the technology in a new and fresh way, highlighting their transformative potential in cutting harmful pollution from our homes.

Heat pumps are the leading low-carbon technology for replacing boilers in homes but many people in the UK have limited exposure to them and lack consumer confidence and interest in heat pumps. We need visible and public validation that heat pumps are established and proven.

The creative student competition aims to unleash the power of creativity and imagination to change this perception and inspire both potential heat pump owners and manufacturers to look at this technology in a new light. 

The competition is open to students and recents graduates at UAL. Submissions can be uploaded via this form by midnight Sunday 30 June 2024.

Details on how to apply can be found in the brief for student submissions.

We will be working with members of the heat pump industry and the arts world to shortlist submissions and decide on up to five winners ahead of sharing these artworks publicly. We will share more details on judging and results in the coming months.

Please read our terms and conditions before submitting your artwork.