The past year has been a transformative journey for both me and my co-founded project, Resting Reef, with the Fellowship playing an instrumental role in its development. Receiving the award has enabled me to dedicate all my efforts to Resting Reef full-time, allowing me to fully immerse myself in its evolution. Having the freedom, space, and time to be creative is a privilege, and I am very grateful that the award has afforded me this opportunity over the past year.
Through the award, Resting Reef gained visibility and recognition, opening doors to collaborations, opportunities, and grants that have significantly propelled the project forward. Having the time to apply for other funding sources has also been vital for us to continue our work. During the award period, Resting Reef received three Innovate UK grants, which have been pivotal in expanding our team, accelerating R&D, and further defining our vision.
Other exciting milestones since receiving the award include participation in prestigious events like Dutch Design Week and the London Design Biennale, running a successful crowdfunding campaign, being awarded a D&AD Pencil for Creative Excellence in the Future Impact/Design/Emerging Talent category & recipient of their Impact Fund grant, receiving a Seoul Design Award, being shortlisted for the Smiley Charity Film Awards, and being selected for cohort 6 of the Undaunted: Greenhouse accelerator program.
As I continue to innovate and advocate for sustainable solutions through Resting Reef, I am immensely grateful for the Fellowship’s support and contribution to my journey.