New Designers ‘09

My passion for crafting items with my hands started at a young age and I later discovered wood as my ideal medium for self-expression. Having completed a National Diploma in Design Crafts, an AS level in Ceramics, and an HND in Furniture Studies and now the degree course at the University of Lincoln, I am excited to take my first step into the world of furniture design and craftsmanship. It is my hope to remain in Lincolnshire.

My work is inspired by my own experiences, passions and the world around me; I have based designs on architecture, natural forms, science fiction and my own imagination. My work this year has centred on science fiction themes and concepts. I am exhibiting my ‘Sci-Fi Cabinet’ – ‘TOS’ (The Original Series) along with a supporting body of design work. The ‘TOS’ cabinet has been made to look as anatomical as possible, utilising metal bar joints and contrasting timbers, to give the appearance of mechanised joints, with one component moving over another, and the body enhanced with laser engraved circuit detailing.

This is an entirely speculative item of furniture, designed as self-expression, but also as a way of demonstrating the abilities I have acquired in the course of my education. Made from walnut with maple and threaded steel rod ‘TOS’ exhibits both traditional (Tennon and Mitre) and contemporary (Resin & Bar) joints, application of new technology (laser engraving), and effective use of veneers as well as interpretation of traditional fan construction in the door.

Whilst ‘TOS’ is a speculative piece my target audience is not restricted to fans of science fiction media. With the increasing presence of sci-fi in the mainstream film, TV, and literature scene, more and more people are open to the aesthetic these possible futures present. Therefore my audience is essentially anyone affected by these images. The piece showcases my abilities and is designed to inspire a vision of what I could produce for a client.

W:

E: SamGHewitt@aol.com    

M: 07763 874714

HND Furniture Studies

B.A (Hons) Furniture Design & Craftsmanship

Bucks New University

Queen Alexander Road

High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire

HP11 2JZ

 

Tel. 01494 522141

 

PRESS RELEASE 09-04-09

 

 

Bucks New University’s designer/makers make waves at London’s New Designers Exhibition.

 

Students of the HND Furniture Studies and B.A(Hons) Furniture Design and Craftsmanship are proud to share a stand for the first time ever among Britain’s brightest young design talent at this year’s New Designers exhibition.

 

New Designers is the foremost event in graduate design where professional and public visitors discover the creative energy of the next generation. Under the banner of Furniture@Bucks, the students will be displaying their work in Part 2 of the show from 16-19 July. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London: www.newdesigners.com

 

The processes of design and make are integral to both courses with each displaying a varied array of highly crafted work. The methods adopted by the students vary from tried-and-tested traditional joinery to cutting-edge means of manipulating new materials and processes. The courses have close ties to industry; One example, student Oliver Haddon (HND), has been sponsored by DuPont to use their solid surface material Corian. Whilst at the other end of the spectrum Student James Peixoto (HND) uses otherwise discarded materials to reinvent forgotten furniture such as the stand alone plate rack.

 

The international reputations of both courses, with students from as far afield as New Zealand, Tokyo and Korea, allows for a genuine cross-fertilization of design and make ideas ending in new furniture form. Their large open plan workshops actively encourages this. Most all the work addresses contemporary design issues as well as to challenge established perceptions of craft. Visitors can expect an exciting, unusual, witty and eclectic mix of ideas, colours and materials, all finished to exacting standards.

 

For the students, this final year has been an exciting one. The acclaimed designer Martino Gamper was invited to run a one week project in which students were asked to bring in at least two old or discarded chairs. By the end of the week all the chairs had been reinvented. By using the legs of one and the seat of another, strange, wonderful and often humourous combinations had been reconstructed. The culmination resulted in students showcasing their work at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

 

Others showed their enterprising streak winning The Apprentice Challenge, a University wide competition to test student’s ability to sell and make a profit. Team “wooden it be nice,” turned their £250 sponsorship into just under £1000. This, along with their £1200 prize went a long way to funding their participation at New Designers.

 

 

 

Like many graduates this year, the students face an uncertain job market and New Designers represents a golden opportunity for them to meet potential clients, find employment and join the next generation of Britain’s designers. “We can’t wait to give it a go, it’s scary, but it’s very exciting.”

 

For more information please contact Andrew Shenton (Head of Furniture Design and Craftsmanship) on 01494 522141 email: andrew.shenton@bucks.ac.uk

 

Notes to the editor:

 

New Designers is presented in 2 parts with different makers and disciplines represented in each. Part 1 is from 9-12 July and Part 2 is from 16-19 July 2009 at the Business Design Centre, Upper Street, Islington, London N1. www.newdesingers.com

 

New Designers - Part 1 (9-12 July 2009)

Contemporary Applied Arts

Ceramics and Glass

Textiles, Fashion & Accessories

Jewellery & Metalwork

 

New Designers - Part 2 ( 16-19 July 2009)

Product Design

Furniture Design

Illustration and Animation

Graphic Design & Interactive Media Photography

Spatial Design (Architecture, Interior Design, Theatre Design & Model Making)

 

-it is also possible to identify and commission young designers working in a variety of disciplines from jewellery to furniture by visiting www.newdesignersonline.com

 

Ticket prices on the door:

£14 single day ticket 9£9 concession)

£25 unlimited access

 

Ticket prices in advance via website or booking office:

£9.50 single day ticket +£1.50 booking fee

£21.50 unlimited access

 

Ticket booking line: 08448 480 136 or website: www.newdesigners.com

Visitor registration will go live from mid April 2009

 

For press information, images and registration details for New Designers please visit:

www.newdesigners.com or contact PR consultancy:

Articulate Communications - Tel 020 7287 1922; Email newdesigners@articulate.co.uk

PASSIONS

JEWELLERS,SILVERSMITHING,DESIGN,ART,CULTURE,FUN,IDEAS,COLLECTING,2D-3DECO-CYCLE ,PEOPLE,THINKING,IMPROVEMENT,EXERCISE,NATURE,WATER.CHOCOLATE.

DISLIKES

BROKEN YOLKS

BE WELL

CONLETH

Laura Brown a recent graduate of UCA Rochester has been selected to exhibit her work at New Designers.  Her work will be exhibited during Part 1 of New Designers from 9 to 12 July 2009 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1. 

New Designers brings together the very best in UK graduate design, showcasing the work, energy and talent of the next generation of designers.  

Lorna Syson in a new and exciting British graduate, her current collection is ‘Pattern on Pattern,’ it’s an amalgamation of natural organic forms layered with manmade geometric shapes.

She uses manipulated and printed fabric embellished with laser cutting to create exciting textile pieces.

These designs and techniques have created a large Moroccan inspired intricate collection of textile pieces for both fashion fabrics and interior pieces such as cushions, rugs and wall pieces.

NEW DESIGNERS EXHIBITION TO WELCOME SPUNKY NEW TALENT, JENNY BLAND.


Jenny Bland will present SPUN, her exciting graduate lighting collection, at the renowned New Designers Exhibition. The collection will occupy the Manchester Metropolitan University stand at this leading design talent showcase due to take place at London’s Design Centre at the end of the month.

Olivia Grogan

Northampton University, BA Textiles for Fashion.

Exhibiting textiles/fashion garments.

I was inspired to create my designs by the myth of the lost city of Atlantis, especially with the current issues in the news about rising sea levels. This lead me to create prints which depicted my own modern day ‘Atlantis’ combining the urban with the underwater to create a quirky, eclectic design.

The prints have been made using a variety of materials; the dress pictured was made using cotton satin with the print created by a combination of discharge and pigment printing. The other design pictured is digitally printed on silk habotai. My collection consists of a mixture of silks, cottons and organza; utilising screen and digital print, as well as a variety of techniques such as devoré and acid discharge printing.

My target audience is the ready-to-wear female fashion market, but I feel that my prints could be used more diversely in other areas of textiles.

Email: badstory_happyending@hotmail.com         

Phone: 07999665950

Website: www.livgrogan.tk

TRACES

Artefacts and Jewellery

By Deborah Werbner

LMU HND Graduate

New Designers Stand J8

Week 1 July 9 – 12 (8 July Press Day)