Design-Nation is once again on the judging panel for the ‘One Year In’ award in both weeks of New Designers, a tough but exciting task. As part of their award winners are given a year’s membership of Design-Nation and we are delighted to welcome the following three designer makers to our portfolio. Well done to all!
Our Week One winner is weaver Majeda Clarke. Majeda is inspired by her cultural background and her designs celebrate regional weave techniques and her identity as a maker. Majeda seeks sustainable, local production, whether working in small batch production or on entirely handmade one off pieces. Her designs deconstruct the geometry of weave whilst colour and pattern are reconsidered in a fresh modern approach.
In Week One we also awarded a runner-up prize as the standard was so high amongst the 63 OYI exhibitors and it was difficult to choose only one winner! Silversmith Alex O’Connor was selected because of her commitment and approach to her business and practice. Alex came to silversmithing from a background in Fine Art and Sculpture. Accordingly, her silverware merges an inherent understanding of aesthetic balance, form and composition with the specific disciplines of contemporary craft.
Our Week Two winner is illustrator and designer Lucy Grainge. Her work focuses on dyslexia, which she has experienced from an early age. She makes stencil-based risograph prints, tote bags and other textiles. Lucy has also produced a book, titled A Different Way of Brain Processing.
Images: Majeda Clarke, Silver vessels by Alex O’Connor, Lucy Grainge
