The Royal College of Art and Pokémon with You Foundation announce the winners of the seventh Pokémon scholarship, Prisca Vilsbol and Kevin Adorni.
The annual Pokémon Scholarship for the academic year 2024/2025 provides full-fee support to two pioneering RCA students who demonstrate the potential for breaking new ground in visual arts, design and communications. As well as receiving scholarships for their 2024/2025 studies, the pair will be invited to visit the Pokémon Company in Japan.
Prisca Vilsbol (MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering) is a Copenhagen based artist and design researcher with a background in fashion and textiles design. Throughout her career she has dressed celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Peaches, developing her design process as her practice grew through experimentation with parametric design, biomaterials, automation, CNC fabrication, 3D modelling and programmable textiles. Armed with an extensive knowledge and network in the fields of fashion, new materials and the circular economy she has also made it her mission to accelerate the implementation of sustainable and innovative processes through consultancy in product development.
‘This Pokémon Scholarship means everything for my diploma. I sincerely would have had to drop out if I hadn’t received it, and I am terribly grateful for the opportunity to continue my Master’s next year. A bonus point for me is that my 7 year old nephew, Mateo, is over the moon knowing that his aunt is a Pokemon scholar.’
Prisca Vilsbol, MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering student and award winner for 2024/25
‘The Pokémon Scholarships provide crucial financial support for our students to help them maximise their design talents. Prisca is one of the top students on our Innovation Design Engineering programme and the Scholarship will really help support Prisca in her learning and development. I am sure Prisca will go on to make a big positive impact in the world.’
Gareth Loudon, Head of Programmes (Global Innovation Design and Innovation Design Engineering)
Kevin Adorni (MA Architecture) relocated from Italy, where he grew up, to continue his architectural studies. He is interested in exploring connections between architecture and landscape alongside the body and what is self built. In his most recent projects this interest has led him to explore the London orbital motorway, the M25. Through the construction of body scaled, spatial devices he aided his ability to explain and describe the hidden relationships and coexistence that thrive in the extensive liminal city space of the M25.
‘This Scholarship will allow me to fully focus on my studies without having to worry about making ends meet throughout the academic year. I really don’t feel like I am exaggerating when I say I believe it’s a life changing opportunity. It will allow me to take more risks in my work, and probably explore routes I would otherwise disregard. I am very much looking forward to the trip to Japan, a place I have always been fascinated by and considering how I could extend this making it part of this year’s upcoming project. I have never been in such a privileged position and I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity.’
Kevin Adorni, MA Architecture student and award winner for 2024/25
‘Kevin has an incredible drive, curiosity and experimental capacity. The generous support from Pokémon will give him the space, time and resources to get the most out of his experience at the RCA.’
Beth Hughes, Head of Programme, MA Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 2)
‘The Pokémon Scholarship aims to support students who will pave the way for the future through the power of creative art and design. From the two candidates selected, we sensed a strong desire to take on challenges in new areas while being well-grounded in technique. We also look forward to being inspired by these scholars as they strive for a more sustainable future and explore new areas through Pokémon.’
Tsunekazu Ishihara, Representative Director Chairman of Pokémon with You Foundation