Celebrating new talent
Visiting New Designers, the annual design graduate showcase, is always an uplifting experience. Seeing so much innovative, well-made work across the design disciplines is good for the soul and a reminder that the British design scene is in robust health. Below are five award winners whose futures, we feel, are looking particularly bright.
Olivia Qi, University: The Glasgow School of Art
photo: Mark Cocksedge
Award: New Designer of the Year (Part 1)
Project: Knitwear Collection
Judges’ Comments: ‘We admired her innovative use of material, tenacity, depth of research and subtle use of colour. She has massive potential.'
Beatrice Wall, Hereford College of Art
photo: Mark Cocksedge
Award: Craft and Design Associate Award
Project: Beetles for Battle
Judges' Comments: ‘Beatrice's work is original and innovative – a sense of fun combined with metalworking and enamelling skills. She has great enthusiasm for her work and a clear idea of what she'd like to do with it in the future.’
Mu Hau Kao, Camberwell College of Arts
photo: Mark Cocksedge
Award: 100% Design Award
Project: Ply Stool
Judges' Comments: ‘Mu Hau Kao's 'Ply Stool' stood out as an example of determination to succeed against the advice of manufacturers. By experiment and commitment a simple, practical and commercially primed product emerged.’
Flora Bhattachary
photo: Mark Cocksedge
Award: One Year On Award (Part 1)
Project: Jewellery
Judges’ Comments: ‘A strong collection, very well balanced between tradition and individual style and well presented. She has very good awareness of her position in the luxury market and shows great focus.’
Robyn Hinchcliffe
photo: Mark Cocksedge
Award: One Year On Award (Part 2)
Project: Textiles
Judges’ Comments: ‘Robyn’s work combines exquisite colour and patterns; she has great mastery of her techniques. Robyn's display was excellent, very well styled and she has a proactive approach to developing her practice.’
Previous Features
THIS IS CRAFT at Clerkenwell Design Week
A Celebration of Craft
Juliet Chadwick
Clever Monty
Katharine Morling
Laura Ellen Bacon
Makers Dozen
