In 1985, the imaginative spectacles of Live Aid, Back to the Future and the first episode of EastEnders enthralled audiences of millions – yes, 13 million watched the initial soap opera’s screening. In the same year, airing visual concepts from accomplished design creatives from universities and colleges across Britain, the inaugural New Designers show was launched with the vision to champion freshly graduated designers by providing a platform to broadcast their work to industry professionals and the wider public, ensuring the life-blood of the UK’s future creativity industries remained healthy and bright.
Nearly 40 years on, this month the annual New Designers show at London’s Business Design Centre was flowing and pumping with the artistic alchemy, innovation, craft and technical skills of over 3,000 talented alumni showcasing their textiles and fashion, product and industrial, illustration and graphic designs over two weeks.
Among the generous business sponsors and supporters of the ND show were greeting card brands – Hallmark UK, Lagom Design and Paperchase – who, boosting the next generation of card designers, cherrypicked from the talented graduates at the show, offering the winners internship opportunities and more! Greetings industry journalist and promo filmmaker, Gale Astley, visited New Designers and spoke to some of the worthy winners and several graduate illustrators streaming their passion for cards.
Evan Elias, Swansea College of Art. The Lagom Design Illustration Award – Judges’ comments: ‘Excellent, bold, original designs.’
The inspiration and illustration?: “I try to break down images to their necessities, to create something strikingly simple! I am inspired by the work of Alan Fletcher and Paula Scher as both tend to not overcomplicate their ideas.”
On winning the Award: “It was lovely to be recognised by Lagom as I’m a big fan of the illustrators the publisher works with. I’m looking forward to the commission – I love what Lagom do, and so am eager to see what we make together!”
A future greeting card designer?: “Absolutely! I’ve made and sold some greeting cards in the past, and so am eager to put out some new designs.”
(Left to right): Lagom’s Paula Mearns, Holly Northcott with creative director, Kelly Hyatt (right) present The Lagom Illustration Award to winner Evan Elias.
Ella Spencer, Leeds Arts University. Paperchase New Designers Award – Judges’ comments: ‘We feel that Ella’s work was very original and being a stationery and paper brand we loved her use of colour and textured collage it brought a smile to our face!’
On winning the Award: “It was an amazing experience getting to speak with the Paperchase team and showcase my portfolio! I am over the moon to win the Paperchase Award and can’t wait to get to work designing with them! Over the three years, the course has helped me curate a diverse portfolio and allowed me to experiment with designing across a variety of markets. Getting to attend New Designers has been an incredible experience full of exciting conversations!”
Artist/designer Simone Brewster presenting the Paperchase award to surface pattern designer, Ella Spencer (centre) at New Designers.
Charlotte Brooke, Edinburgh College of Art. Hallmark Connection Award Week 1 Winner – Judges’ comments: ‘We loved the story behind keeping precious crafts alive. Precious and Delicate. Elevated Reuse.’
The inspiration and illustration?: “My inspiration came from trips where I collected museum and boat tickets. I integrated these discarded materials into my designs using a beading technique on the tickets. I also created watercolour paintings, which I then printed onto scarves, adding a beaded tag alongside each scarf. This project tells a story through seven scarves and two beaded tickets. I often use materials that are usually thrown away, incorporating glass beads into my work to give new life to the discarded.”
Graduate Charlotte Brooke and her beautiful scarfs, winner of the Hallmark Connection Award winner in week 1 of the show.
Olivia Gonsalves, London Metropolitan University
Hallmark Connection Award Week 2 Winner. – Judges’ comments: ‘We loved the narrative exploration of organic matter in Olivia’s work. 300 million years’ worth of material evolution edited and beautifully crafted into a series of witty and profound pieces.’
New Designers state: “Struck by society’s consumption and production, Olivia explores the disconnect and perception we have with natural materials, and their value, transforming them into beautiful objects.”
Winner of the Hallmark Connection Award winner in week 2 of the show, Olivia Gonsalves.
Iris Otto, Norwich University of the Arts. Recognition Awards: Hallmark Loves and Disney Home Loves Accolades
The inspiration and illustration?: “Dilly Dally Junction is the home of my fictional characters and store fronts that houses my cards and products. The final display at New Designers brought together my 3D work, card designs and promotional material into one cohesive scene! I love to combine humour, hidden Easter eggs and whimsical illustrations within my work that appeals to both children and adults.”
On winning the Accolades: “Winning the accolades from Disney Home and Hallmark was so rewarding. It was really exciting to gain recognition for my work, especially from such prestigious companies. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes from them!”
A future greeting card designer?: “Since New Designers I have been in contact with card companies, which is so exciting! Having my illustrations on cards and products is my dream; I love seeing my work come to life in the real world. I’m so passionate about illustration that I would also love to work on other projects, from publishing to branding.”
Highly commended by Hallmark and Disney Home, Iris Otto’s Dilly Dally Junction is an illustrated neighbourhood that houses her fabulous cards and characters (irisottoillustration@gmail.com).
Flynn Mayan Maisie, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts. Disney Home Storyteller Award Week 2 Winner – Judges’ comments: ‘Depth of storytelling. Grounded in strong South African narratives. Innovation in use of multimedia techniques. Great characters.’
The inspiration and illustration?: “Maraaia Prima Donna’s story was actually a personal choice. The original story about a street cat in Bo Kappa, Cape Town, was written by my great aunt. It has been a passion project between my mother and I to republish the story.
My work is mixed media. Using print, ink, pens and photography, I start with analogue, and then scan/construct them digitally.”
On winning the Award: “I was honestly over the moon! I’ve been a big Disney fan since I was a child. Mulan and Pocahontas were my favourites and made me fall in love with animation and illustration. I’d like to learn as much as I can! I’m really looking forward to potentially talking with the illustration team.”
A future greeting card designer?: “Absolutely! I hadn’t thought about it before. My first thought was that most illustrators start a shop of their own selling a few pieces of merch. If the opportunity arises, I would love to.”
Flynn Mayan Maisie illustrated his great aunt’s book, Maraaia Prima Donna, landing him the Disney Home Awards in week 2 of the ND show.
Genevieve Aspinall, University of Central Lancashire
The inspiration and illustration?: “‘Mr Bernard the Business Bear’ is a picture book project celebrating self-confidence about a bear who isn’t happy in his job, so he attends a talent show audition, and, although this doesn’t go to plan, he becomes very successful. The illustrations are painted in gouache with details in pencil crayon.”
A future greeting card designer?: “I would love my artwork to be used on greeting cards. It would be wonderful to know my illustrations have made a difference or brought joy to someone’s day, and having my work on greeting cards is something I am keen to pursue!”
Genevieve Aspinall with some of her beautiful illustrations already published in books. She is also long-listed for this year’s World Illustration Awards.
Alice Patterson, Swansea College of Art
A future greeting card designer?: “Designing greeting cards feels special to me because my designs could be perfect for someone I have never met, anywhere in the world! Knowing my designs can make someone out there feel happy on an important day makes the process feel very worthwhile.”
Alice Patterson and her adorable greeting card range at New Designers.
Bethany Campbell, University of Central Lancashire
The inspiration and illustration?: “In creating this range I wanted to be able to appeal to as many people as possible. So, I ended up with this whole cast of cryptid characters with their own personalities and interests that has been loved by a huge amount of people. ”
A future greeting card designer?: “I would love for my work to feature on greeting cards and keepsakes for a wide range of occasions.”
Beth and her cast of Cryptid characters at ND. Cryptic creatures, such as Bigfoot or Sasquatch, are found in historic narratives and myths, and have yet to be proven that they don’t exist!
Above: Cornish sardines, pheasants and wintry landscapes, graduate and illustrator Scarlet Thomas has long-listed for this year’s World Illustration Awards; stunning illustrations with a luxurious feel by graduate Amanda Bywater and embroidering a wonderful new card design while at the ND show, Matilda Angel Williamson.
