It’s no secret – we love visiting New Designers, and the 2022 show was no different! This year’s exhibition featured some amazing work and we had the challenging task of picking a winner for our ‘print and pattern designer of the year‘ associate prize as well as narrowing it down to pick

out the ‘Top 10 to watch’ for 2022!

While walking the halls, we had the opportunity to meet many talented students who inspired us, not only with their collections and portfolios, but also with their positivity and sense of pride in being able to attend the show after overcoming the challenges of the pandemic whilst finding their own creativity. We’re delighted to share 10 graduate designer profiles with you in which each of them talks us through their work and processes, as well as providing images of their work and contact details.

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Bethany PringleBethany PringleGlasgow School of Art, specialising in printed textiles.

“I wanted to experiment with other materials such as ceramics, leather, cork, papers, and wood. By doing this, it has made me appreciate the versatility of textile design, whilst also gaining more experience learning new techniques.”

Click here to see Bethany’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Cody DruerCody Drury | BA Textile Design at Norwich University of the arts

“A key focus in my project was to demonstrate how the use of colours and pattern can transform the mood within both people and a space.”

Click here to see Cody’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Immy LeeImmy LeeBath Spa University, Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors. 

“I wanted to create a fun and playful collection using paper collage as my main technique. When I’m creating repeats, I tend to work with a half drop because I think it looks more seamless and less blocky.”

Click here to see Immy’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Lisa MorganLisa MorganHeriot-Watt University, Design for Textiles, specialising in print. 

“I  wanted to bring biophilic into interiors, with more than just the actual illustration. So, I tried to make my materials as natural as possible…”

Click here to see Lisa’s full profile

 

 

 

 

Lydia Hill Manchester school of art, MMU, Textiles in practice, specialising in Print Design. 

“I’ll finalise my illustrations in gouache or another medium, before I scan them in, ready to use in both Photoshop and AVA software. I can then start playing around with layers and compositions on the screen, which is my favourite part!”

Click here to see Lydia’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Madison GilsonMadison Gilson | Textile Design, specialising in Print and Surface Design. 

“The designs within the collection have been created from a series of original botanical monoprints, to achieve a hand-painted aesthetic.”

Click here to see Madison’s full profile

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Nicola DobbsNicola Dobbs | Textiles Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Arts and Design 

“This collection all started by painting up the colour swatches, I then cut them into different rectangular shapes, before layering them. From there I scan them into the computer to work with them on CAD.”

Click here to see Nicola’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Rebecca DuffyRebecca Duffy | Staffordshire University, Surface Pattern and Textile Design

“This project is about taking a daring approach to highlight the nightlife of drag queen culture, in this collection there are poised figures posing amongst the elegant foliage forming a quirky yet disguised narrative.”

Click here to see Rebecca’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch Sarah ThorleySarah Thorley | Bolton University, Surface Pattern Design

“My favourite part is bringing them all together into repeats. Whether that is block repeat from lay plans, or making the motifs that I have created into half drop or quarter drop, and even custom repeats.”

Click here to see Sarah’s full profile

 

 

 

 

New designers 2022 AVA top 10 to watch You DuanYu DuanLondon College of Fashion, Textile Print

“Within this collection, I focused on senses, and I took it in three different directions. I use AVA software and Photoshop together. I use AVA to create different colourways because it’s so quick!”

Click here to see Yu Duan’s full profile

 

We’d like to congratulate all the students that graduated in 2022 and wish them all the best of luck with their futures…there’s some excellent talent ready to step into industry!