NEW DESIGNERS INCREASES ITS VISITOR ATTENDANCE

New Designers 2012 at the Business Design Centre from 27 June to 7 July celebrated 27 years as the foremost graduate design show, introducing exceptional graduate design talent from 200 of the UK’s design courses and launching the careers of 3500 designers.   Despite a climate of austerity – as well as the grey skies – an increased number visitors flocked to the 2 part event at the Business Design Centre.  More than 16,000 attended over the 2 weeks.

Jewellery designer Theo Fennell and Olympic torch designer Jay Osgerby of BarberOsgerby presented the prestigious New Designers Awards on the preview evenings on 27 June and 4 July respectively.

Commenting on the success of this year’s event, which is organised by Upper Street Events, show director Isobel Dennis said, “New Designers is an important event as demonstrated by the number of visitors and the breadth of their interests – prospective employers, prospective students. The Business Design Centre was filled to maximum capacity with university and design industry exhibitors. We’re talking about the whole future of the UK here, not just individual careers,’ says Isobel Dennis, Director of New Designers. ‘These incredibly talented new graduates will fuel our creative industries and be significant contributors to the economy.”

ENGAGING EVENTS

This year saw a number of interactive events at the show initiated by partners.

•  In addition to providing the vodka cocktails for the VIP preview evenings, ABSOLUT issued a challenge to all the New Designers exhibitors inviting them to create their own ABSOLUT BLANK. ABSOLUT Blank is a global campaign where ABSOLUT Vodka made its iconic bottle into a blank canvas for artists to fill with their creativity. The shortlisted designs were displayed at the entrance to the Business Design Centre.
• Tigerprint ran a ‘Design a Day’ calling for creative concepts to different daily themes. Winning entries will be produced for its Marks & Spencer giftware ranges.
• During New Designers Part 1, prison social enterprise Fine Cell Work hosted a sewing bonanza, where its volunteers encouraged exhibitors and visitors to stitch a message for a prisoner. A collage of words grew and by the time the show closed, there were over 90 messages.
• Graduate graphic designers and illustrators pitched their skill against the professionals from Debut Arts in the Secret Walls Pro Series which saw a massive 6 metre white wall transformed into a mesmerising artwork.

More…

DESIGN HEROES OPENED THE SHOW’S 2 PARTS: THEO FENNELL AND JAY OSGERBY

Luxury jeweller Theo Fennell opened New Designers Part 1 and reminded the audience of graduates and members of the design professions that they ‘are amongst the luckiest people in the world because you are making your living doing something you love. It’s such a privilege. Whenever you have a down day, go and stand outside a tube station in the City of London and see the faces of the downbeat commuters because it will immediately make you feel better.  I am in awe of the brilliant work at New Designers.’

Designer of the Olympic Torch, Jay Osgerby of BarberOsgerby opened New Designers Part 2, and told the exhibitors, “You are in a great position, you’re exhibiting at the right place and more importantly than that you are Creative - and that sets you apart from the rest of this year’s graduates. And as Einstein said: “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Our Creativity is at the forefront of our new economy and also part of our national identity .…  We are a bunch of very creative islanders and our design courses have for decades fuelled that creativity, helping Britain to be regarded as the creative hub of the world. You lot now have the same task of keeping that reputation going.”

NEW COMPANIES JOIN LONGSTANDING SPONSORS TO INVEST IN DESIGN FUTURES

The show also attracted a number of new sponsors to support its prestigious awards and prizes.  There were 11 awards in Part 1 and 16 awards in Part 2. John Lewis, Made.com, Sanderson and Warburtons joined longstanding supporters such as Hallmark, Tigerprint, Virgin Atlantic, Sky and The Goldsmith’s Company.  More companies also offered associate prizes including Foundry, Webb deVlam AND DESIGNERS’ BLOCK, where winners will enjoy workplacements. Companies from across the creative industries – homewares, technology, gifting, product development and interior design – acknowledge New Designers as the best place to identify fresh design talent and see their sponsorship of the New Designers Awards as a means to invest in the future of their industry.

From New Designers Part 1: “Sanderson believes in encouraging new talent and bringing innovation and great design to as wide an audience as possible through their collections. We are delighted to be so closely involved with New Designers this year and are very much looking forward to working with the winner of the Sanderson award.'' said Liz Cann of Sanderson.

From New Designers Part 2 “Warburtons are committed to innovation and we are always looking to promote creativity and high quality in all we do and New Designers is no exception!. This is the first year we have worked with New Designers and we are very excited to have the opportunity to work with the young creative entrepreneurs of the future collaboratively to add value to our business.” Commented Darren Littler, Warburtons’ Director of Innovation.

The New Designers awards highlight special talent and frequently appear at the beginning of an illustrious design career.  Designers such as Thomas Heatherwick, Matthew Williamson, Ella Doran, Bethan Gray, James Harrison, Jethro Macey, Jo Hayes-Ward,  Max Lamb, and Jay Osgereby were all discovered at New Designers.

New Designers took place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 from 27 – 30 June and 4 – 7 July 2012. www.newdesigners.com

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Comprehensive information about New Designers is available at www.newdesigners.com

New Designers has partnered with Arts Thread, now hosting New Designers online graduate portfolios, providing a year round extension of New Designers the exhibition. Arts Thread provides a comprehensive index, directory and sourcing facility, enabling anyone, wherever they are in the world, to view new and emerging design talent, whether for commission, freelance or full-time employment.