Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Lucy Barrick
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Product Design student Lucy Barrick and her project 'Aetherielle'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 31 March 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Lucy's project focuses on helping women regulate menstrual-related anger in the workplace. Through research conducted during the Exploration and Context module in the autumn term, she identified a real need for a product that supports emotional management during menstruation. The result is a beautifully designed necklace that encases a glass vial containing a blend of essential oils scientifically proven to calm and soothe. This discreet yet functional piece of jewellery provides a simple and elegant way to promote well-being throughout the day.
The inspiration behind the project
The necklace encases a glass vial containing a blend of calming essential oils. (Image credit: Bjorn Tamana)
The project experience
Lucy says that working on this project has been an intense but incredibly rewarding experience.
"It has challenged me creatively, academically, and personally. I’ve had to push myself beyond my comfort zone, balancing research, design, and functionality to create a product that is both meaningful and effective."
Being part of NTU
Lucy considers her time at NTU to have been a transformative experience overall. One of the aspects she appreciated most is that final grades are based primarily on fourth-year work, which allowed her the time to develop her skills over the course.
She explains: "Throughout my studies, I’ve learned how to collaborate effectively, take constructive feedback, and adapt my ideas based on new insights. The process has strengthened my ability to refine my designs and think critically about my work."
Lucy says: "One of my most memorable moments was applying for placements in my second year. My tutor was incredibly supportive - I must have asked him for advice countless times! When I finally secured my placement at Roundhouse, his enthusiasm and genuine happiness for me made the moment even more special. It was a reminder of how valuable mentorship and guidance can be."
Lucy sought to design a product that seamlessly combined aesthetic beauty with practical functionality. (Image credit: Bjorn Tamana)
Closing remarks
Lucy has the following advice for prospective Product Design students:
"Be prepared to put in the work! This is not a course where you can get by with last-minute catching up – it relies on consistent effort and demands ongoing commitment where you need to engage with your projects continuously, refining and developing ideas throughout your studies.
"But if you're passionate about design and willing to put in the time, the experience will be incredibly rewarding."
Lucy Barrick - BA (Hons) Product Design
Acknowledgements
Lucy would like to thank the following people for their help with this project: