New Brand Collaboration - The Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum announces brand-new arts and crafts collaboration with West Design Products
Beautiful 30-piece collection will be on sale from 1 April 2025
· Natural History Museum will release a range of premium arts and crafts materials, created in collaboration with West Design Products
· The Natural History collection will launch with UK-based retailers on 1 April 2025, celebrating some of most striking specimens in the Museum’s collections
· From stunning premium paint by numbers wall hanging kits and exquisite needlecraft sets, to beautifully bound scrapbooks and sketchbooks, the new collection will allow crafters of all ages to make their mark through art, journalling and memory making
Monday 24th 2025, London UK The Natural History Museum has today announced its latest foray into the world of arts and crafts with an exquisitely curated collaboration with family-owned and industry-leading crafts manufacturer, West Design Products.
Launching 1 April 2025, the brand-new Natural History collection collaboration includes two ranges, inspired by some of the most striking iconography from its 80-million strong scientific archives and collections, including beautiful British birds, dazzling underwater creatures and boldly coloured beetles amongst an array of natural wildlife.
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said: “Our collaboration with West Design Products has been one of our most comprehensive licensing projects in the world of arts and crafts when it comes to our scientific collection. Here at the Museum, we aim to inspire a love for the natural world through all our work and being able to take these wonderful illustrations from our archives to create this beautiful rage, we’re certain arts lovers will come away with a newfound passion for our planet.”
West Design Products have worked closely with the Museum’s world-leading experts to create this new premium range of crafts materials, ensuring scientific accuracy in all its designs. Each collection will include three cross stitch kits and three embroidery kits, containing everything needed to create a stunning handstitched piece; three paint-by-numbers wall hanging kits to bring a touch of the natural world to your home; three hardback sketchbooks and a set of three softcover sketchbooks to let your imagination truly run wild; and one 8x8” and one 12x12” scrapbook.
Jo Bray, Managing Director – Sales and Marketing at West Design Products, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been entrusted to create this wonderful range of products in partnership with the Natural History Museum. Our team feels incredibly privileged to be able to work with such a rich and varied wealth of assets that are cared for by the Natural History Museum. Each collection was an absolute delight to work with and we’ve created what is sure to delight crafters and artists alike. A follow-up collection planned for the end of 2025 is sure to expand on the buzz this collection has already generated among our customers.”
Within the range, the British Birds collection perfectly encapsulates the variety and beauty of the feathered wonders right on our doorstep, from kingfishers, herons and blue tits to the perhaps lesser-known buntings and rock pipets. Meanwhile, the Beauty In Nature collection showcases some of the most vibrant displays of the natural world, including the striking colours of showy flamingos and tropical fish, as well as the unexpected beauty of beetles and deep sea wonders.
All products will be available through West Design Products’ online shop, as well as select UK-based retailers including John Lewis, Waterstones and Hobbycraft.
The brand-new Natural History collection of premium arts and crafts materials, created in collaboration between the Natural History Museum and West Design Products, launches 1 April 2025.
ENDS
Press Contact
Natural History Museum Press Office
Assets
Credit: ‘Trustees of the Natural History Museum’
About Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Our mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.
Our 400 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency - from reversing biodiversity loss to resourcing the green economy.
We are seeking an additional £150 million to transform our South Kensington building: placing our groundbreaking research at its heart, revitalising four existing galleries, opening two new magnificent galleries and delighting 1 million more visitors a year with the wonders of the natural world.
About Commercial Licensing at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is an iconic heritage brand known and loved all over the world, and the winner of best licensed heritage brand for four years running. Its licensing department develops innovative products that reflect the Museum’s core values and inspire a love of the natural world.
The breadth of the Museum’s collections, encompassing 80 million specimens, and its archives bursting with incredible artwork, enables it to be endlessly creative with the brands it collaborates with and the products they bring to life together, from apparel and stationery to gifting, homewares and toys.
We are proud that the quality of the Museum and its licensees’ work has been recognised with 20 licensing industry awards since 2019. This includes the best licensed preschool or accessories range at the 2024 Licensing Awards, and best brand home décor product or range at the 2024 Brand and Lifestyle Awards. The Museum’s licensing department continues to team up with prestigious brands and retailers which share its vision of creativity and sustainability both within the UK and globally.
About West Design Products
West Design Products is a family-owned company based in Folkestone, Kent, specialising in the manufacture and distribution of art, craft, stationery, and gifting products. Founded over 30 years ago by the Bray family, West Design Products has grown to become a leader in its market. With a comprehensive stock offering as well as bespoke and made to order opportunities, West Design Products supplies high street stores and specialist independents alike with a comprehensive catalogue of lines for the full range of creative hobbies.
Email Sales@westdesignproducts.com for more information.