Class of 2017 impress at New Designers

Students from across the Department of Design at Manchester School of Art have enjoyed a successful visit to New Designers with several students selected for and taking home awards. 

Now in its 32nd year, New Designers showcases the work of graduates and emerging designers from across the UK, celebrating and recognising new talent. It also offers opportunities for graduating students to network with members of industry and develop connections to help them in their graduate careers. 

Part One (28-1 July) featured work from the disciplines of textiles and fashion, costume design, jewellery and precious metalwork, ceramics, glass and contemporary design crafts. 

This week bought success for Textiles in Practice student Heather Chamberlain, who won the New Designers Students of Design Associate Prize with her work entitled 'Fluctuate'. Judges praised Heather's work for being 'innovative and unique' with 'an instantly recognisable aesthetic.' 

'It was exciting to meet so many talented designers and hear this enthusiasm towards my creative ideas and distinct style,' commented Heather. 'This is a brilliant opportunity to start my own business and I would like to express my gratitude to Students of Design.' 

Mark Beecroft, Senior Lectuer in Textiles in Practice noted that Part One was a 'great forum for students to showcase their talent to industry leaders.

New Designers 2017 has been a great success for the Textiles in Practice programme, for the 3rd year running we've won an award, highlighting the quality, innovation and professionalism of our graduates.' 

During Part Two (5-8 July), which showcased work from the areas of furniture, product and industrial design, spatial design, automative design, interior design, graphic design, illustration, animation, gaming, motion and digital arts, and production and theatre design, student likewise had successes. 

Sam Lander, from Three Dimensional Design, was awarded the Material Lab Associate Prize, recieving £500 to support design development, alongside a two week placement oportunity and the prospect of showcasing his designs at Material Lab. 

Judges noted that Sam's work presented a 'creative take on traditional concrete' with 'trend awareness regarding the crafted bespoke nature.' 

Other achievements to come from New Designers include: 

• Lizzie Hall from Three Dimensional Design was runner-up for the Material Lab Associate Prize for her 'Bananna Lab' work exploring biodegradable materials. 
• Siriol Hughes, who is also from Three Dimensional Design, was awarded runner-up for the Johnson Tiles Prize 
• Eva Akesson from Illustration with Animation, was shortlisted for the New Designers Screening Room Prize. 

Ian Whadcock, Programme Leader from Illustration with Animation, explained that successes took other forms alongside awards. 

'Over the course of the four day event, the stand attracted a diverse range of visitors from the design industry, academia and the general public. 

Students were offered potential opportunities for commissions, internships, and collaborations during the show attracting the interest of leading artist's agents, picture book publishers and lifestyle retailers.' 

'It was a fantastic week exhibiting work and meeting professionals as well as establishing creative networks,' agreed Three Dimensional Design Programme Leader Fabrizio Cocchiarella. 'Final year students have had the opportunity to showcase their work to a professional audience giving them an important opportunity to launch themselves into the creative world!' 

You can view the work of a selection of students from exhibiting courses of Illustration with Animation, Textiles in Practice or Three Dimensional Design, on our Degree Show webpages. Or find more information about these courses on our Foundation and Undergraduate Courses webpages.