There’s something particularly rewarding about seeing designers you first met at graduate shows go on to exhibit on an international stage.
At Heimtextil 2026, a new initiative in collaboration with Trendease – The New Talent area – highlighted emerging designers within a global industry setting. Among them were three designers we first met at New Designers – Natalie Bulloch, Sian Barratt and Lydia Hill – each previously recognised as part of our ‘Top 10 Designers to watch’.
Now, their journeys offer an honest look at the realities of what life after graduation and progression into industry really looks like.
The Transition – from graduation to reality
For many designers, the transition from university into industry rarely follows a straight or predictable path. Expectations formed during study often shift quickly when faced with the realities of professional practice and requirements.
“After graduating, my intention was to go straight into working for an established studio, where I could collaborate with other creatives and gain a deeper understanding of how the industry operates on a day-to-day basis. However, the reality turned out quite differently.” – Sian
While some graduates leave university with a clear idea of their next steps, others find that the early stages of their careers are more self-directed than anticipated – requiring persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty.
“The reality has been mixed, much more fast-paced in terms of opportunities, thanks to supporting organisations such as Green Grads and Jennifer Castoldi’s Trendease International and Creative Wings, although slower in terms of building the brand and getting sales. Even with all the amazing opportunities, it is very much self-driven – You quickly realise how many different roles you have to take on!” – Lydia
There is no single route into the industry. Opportunities often come through a combination of initiative, timing, and being open to new directions. Something all three designers experienced in different ways.
What skills really matter?
While technical ability is the main focus during university, the reality of working in the industry shifts that perspective. Across all three designers, one theme came through clearly: success is shaped as much by how you communicate and present your work as it is by the work itself.
“After graduating, I realised that communication skills mattered far more than I initially expected. Being able to clearly discuss ideas with clients, manage expectations, and handle feedback has been just as important as the design work itself, especially working freelance.” – Sian
“Being able to confidently communicate your work, clearly explain your process, and engage in conversation is a very important part to the industry. When speaking to companies, I found that they were often less focused on having a perfectly resolved concept and more interested in understanding how ideas were developed.” – Natalie
“Purely technical skills will always matter, but being able to explain your work, keep going and advocate for yourself is what really carries you!”- Lydia
University vs Industry
For all three designers, the value of education was clear when it came to developing ideas, thinking creatively, and building depth within their work. However, the realities of working professionally introduced a different set of challenges – particularly around the commercial aspects of design. Understanding pricing, managing clients, and navigating business decisions are all areas that often sit outside the university experience.
Even something as simple as presenting work takes on a new meaning in a professional context. While university encourages detailed storytelling and conceptual depth, industry conversations are often more direct and commercially focused.
“It prepared me really well creatively – how to think, research and have depth to my ideas. But it doesn’t prepare you for the business side, like pricing, negotiating or managing everything yourself. When I first did a trade show, I went prepared with my poetic speeches about my work’s meaning, however, quickly found that many people simply want to know the price and how quickly you can deliver, before moving on – trying to figure out your prices is a whole other thing!” – Lydia
With that shift comes a clearer understanding of what being “industry-ready” actually means. Rather than having everything perfected, it’s about being able to operate confidently in real-world situations – managing time, communicating clearly, and adapting as projects evolve.
“It’s important to be able to apply the skills learned from the years in university but it’s just as important being able to show organisation, the ability to self-motivate and knowledge and understanding of general business operations.” – Natalie
“From my experience, it is about understanding how to communicate clearly with clients, respond to briefs, manage expectations, and work within timeframes and budgets. It also means being adaptable. Projects rarely go exactly as planned, so being able to respond to feedback, problem-solve, and adjust your ideas while still maintaining your own design voice has been really important.” – Sian
Looking ahead
Despite the challenges of transitioning into industry, all three designers are building continually evolving careers. Rather than following a fixed path, their next steps are being shaped by a mix of opportunities.
“I’m most excited about creating and building my own portfolio of designs and gaining more freelance opportunities.” – Natalie
For Natalie, the focus is on strengthening her presence in the industry – a progression which has also meant continuing to build technical confidence alongside her creative work.
“I wanted to show I have another skill in creating designs… in software designed for the textile industry. It shows commitment and gaining this skill also increases employability as a lot of industries use AVA software.”
For Sian, the appeal lies in variety and scale – moving between disciplines and exploring design paths.
“I want my work to be seen in different parts of the world… I’m interested in building a multidisciplinary career that moves between design, large-scale public work, and collaborative projects.” – Sian
Meanwhile, Lydia is continuing to grow her brand with a strong sense of purpose, combining design with environmental awareness and storytelling.
“I’m excited to continue growing my brand, developing new collections, and building relationships with retailers or collaborators.” – Lydia
Alongside this, developing industry-ready skills that help inform her process has remained a key focus.
“I realised how important knowledge of the industry standard AVA software was and chose to join the [AVA CAD Specialist Training] course to gain invaluable skills which I knew would make me more favourable when applying to job opportunities in the industry.”
Across all three, there’s a shared sense of momentum and progress – not necessarily having everything figured out, but in embracing the opportunities ahead and shaping their careers in their own terms.
Their experiences highlight how early careers are built today: less about a single defined role, and more about adaptability, independence, and a commitment to development. Whether that’s learning new software, refining processes or building confidence, continuous learning is an essential part of building a sustainable, evolving career.
To read the full interviews, click the links below: