Ripples hosts annual Designer Day for franchise community

Bathroom retailer Ripples welcomed designers from its 21 showrooms across the UK for its annual Designer Day, held this year at the picturesque Retreat at Elcot Park, near Newbury. The event, a highlight of the Ripples calendar, brought together the brand’s talented design community for a day of learning, inspiration and collaboration.

The day opened with business and marketing updates from MD Paul Crow, marketing manager Rachael Rickhuss, and marketing executive Harriet Moatt, followed by an engaging presentation from sales director Nicola Crow, who explored the importance of building excitement and anticipation when presenting bathroom designs to clients – particularly the impact of ‘the reveal’.

Attendees then heard from Simon Baker, regional sales manager at Laufen, who shared an exclusive preview of the brand’s upcoming product launches and highlighted its latest innovations in sustainable manufacturing.

One of the day’s standout moments was the annual Ripples Design Challenge, where designers presented their best completed projects from the past year. The challenge not only celebrates excellence in design but also fosters shared learning among peers. This year’s winner was Chris Payne, senior designer at Ripples Bristol, who impressed the panel with his creativity and attention to detail.

Later, designers were treated to an inspirational talk by Rasmus Kjær, chief design officer at Dansani, who shared his journey from aspiring designer to design lead, offering valuable insights into his process and career path. The event concluded with an open Q&A forum chaired by Nicola Crow, giving designers the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss topics ranging from design software to evolving client expectations.

Reflecting on the day, Nicola Crow said: “Ripples Designer Day is always one of my favourite events of the year, but this one truly raised the bar. I feel incredibly privileged to work alongside such a talented and passionate group of individuals who continue to shape the future of our brand.”