Pattern packs a punch at New Designers 2012

New Designers is one of my very favourite shows. It happens annually at the end of July in the Islington Business Design Centre. I love this building, adapted from the old Victorian Agricultural Hall (which had the lovely local nickname of “the Aggie”).

When its foundation stone was laid in 1861, its “clear span” was greater than even Crystal Palace and Alexander Palace. The building has been used for lots of things over the years (including many sporting events and even the Royal Tournament) but by the Eighties had become empty and unloved, to be rescued for its present use as a business and exhibition centre in 1986.

It’s a wonderful space, with lots of original cast ironwork and great natural light – though it can get horribly hot in summer as the day wears on. Then I make for the One Year On section where along with air conditioning they show the work of last year’s grads who are now impressively in business.

Anyway, back to New Designers itself. This is where a staggering 3,500 (approximately) new grads get to show the best work from their degree courses. They represent about 190 courses from UK universities and colleges.

(Above) Kit Miles creates huge painted abstracts

Part 1 embraces glass, ceramics, jewellery and metalwork, textiles, fashion and home accessories, surface pattern and applied arts. Then it’s all change for Part 2, for furniture, product design, architecture and interiors, graphics, illustration and visual communications.

“We’re talking about the whole future of the UK here, not just individual careers,” says the dynamic  - and very glam – Isobel Dennis, show director (never without her walkie talkie). “These incredibly talented new grads will fuel our creative industries and be significant contributors to the economy.” Exactly.

It was a big honour to help judge the first Sanderson Colour Award, and then to present the Award itself at the end of the day. The other three judges were from the company itself, headed by Liz Cann, design director of Zoffany/Sanderson. Our winner was Polish Joanna Srokol (right) from Edinburgh College of Art. We loved her hand-painted panels inspired by the Polish landscape.

We also liked Daisy Pedersen ‘s Scandinavian Bloom collection – she won an award from Harlequin who hope to put her “internationally commercial” designs into production very soon. Daisy is from Leeds College of Art.

(Above) Joel Wilson's designs have pop panache

Indeed for me this year pattern was the most powerful ingredient of New Designers 2012, with boys as active as girls in fabrics and wallpapers. Many have already got their work into production, and you will see it on the pages of Homes & Property very soon.

Meanwhile watch out for Gemma Smith with her absorbing anatomical hand-drawn designs; Kit Miles for huge painterly abstracts; Joel Wilson for pop panache (above); and Louise Tiler for deliciously delicate decor.

All photographs by Barbara Chandler; see more pictures of graduates at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barbarachandler/sets/72157630502524830/
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