The runner up was the noticeably passionate Matthew Kavan Brooks. Matthew studied at Nottingham Trent University and has created beautifully intricate laser cut wooden tiles called ‘Electric Bird’. Explore more of his award–winning work at www.kavan.co.uk.
Throughout the day winners of various categories were announced. They all received prizes worth thousands of pounds in the form of business advice, design software, work placements and cash prizes too. Full details of the winners, their awards and the whole exhibition can be found on the New Designers 2009 website.
Northumbria University graduate Robin Grasby took home more prize money than he had expected after winning two awards. The Habitat Award was for his ‘natural affinity to materials’ which was evident in his multi–material desk and two seater beech chair. The desk, entitled ‘Homework’, features a white board, magnetic marker pen and eraser, cutting board, built–in ruler and compartments for various tools. The judges obviously recognised that it is a compact and functional dream desk for students and professionals alike. It also won the 100 % Design Award.
Jamie Douglas, from Brighton University, won the Virgin Atlantic Airways Red Hot Design Award for his lime green commuter bike.
The Gleeds Award went to Interior Architecture student Francesca Loan from UWIC, Cardiff. She redesigned an existing building in South Wales for Tanner’s Wine Merchants.
Katt Jones, studying Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent, won the Hallmark Award for her warm and sensitive illustrations, cute textile decorations and model making. She told mydeco how she hopes the award will help her to work with Aardman Studios, whose work she admires very much.
The One Year On Award is for last year’s graduates or for artists and designers who have been in business for only one year. Talented artist Lizzie Cullen won the award for her multi–media psycho–geographical illustrated maps which start off as ink line drawings and are often digitally rendered. Lizzie also has a children’s book awaiting publication called The Magical Parkhouse Family.
In an exhibition crowded with male designers, it was reassuring for so many female artists to win awards. Additionally, Nicola’s ideas surpassed them all in terms of talent, modernity and feasibility, so there seems to be strong competition between the sexes for the design world’s next generation.
Read our New Designers 2009 article for a run down of the winners from the first part of the graduate show.
