Design Team: ‘Ones to Watch’ at New Designers Part One 2016

6th July 2016

Adam Lamb, Leeds College of Art

Adam’s work stood out due to his vast display of research and trend awareness. Inspired by space, architecture and the human body, Adam creates materials to withstand harsh environments, alongside fabrics for fashion and interiors. His work uses new concepts to explore glass and stainless steel, as well as ‘smart materials’. Whichever way Adam’s work takes him, it always relates back to the core theme of light reflection and refraction. Thanks to a range of textures and materials, alongside a neutral colour palette, the collection has a sensory feel. Pink tones link back to skin and the human body, whilst metals and metallic finishes tie in to the trends of space exploration and futurism.

Follow Adam at @studiolamb

Theo Rivière, Leeds College of Art

‘Material poetry’ sets the theme for Theo’s collection. Wood, concrete, cork and laminates are explored in a stripped back approach to surface design. Theo seeks to create a natural link between materials and colour, through a muted colour palette of grey, pink and navy blue. His work also playfully examines how light can add an extra dimension of interest to design.

Rochelle McGuiness, Glasgow University

Rochelle’s Distorting Perceptions of Depth collection was inspired by architectural structures and forms, from which scale and materials could be explored. The work examined movement, as well as how materials change when exposed to light. Utilising iridescent surfaces – a current, key material trend – Rochelle mixed cut vinyl and fabrics for depth and added texture.

New Designers Part Two takes place from 6 July until 9 July 2016. Stay tuned for our Johnson Tiles Associate Prize (Part Two) winner, and our Design Team’s ‘ones to watch’.

Charlotte Street, Bath Spa University

Charlotte’s work caught the collective eye of our Design Team, with a mix of natural and urban influences. Her collection of wallpaper and cushions were inspired by Spanish tile trends, alongside the hidden beauty of nature. Through the juxtaposition between nature-inspired, floral prints, and raw surfaces – such as concrete – Charlotte created depth and detail. Perhaps most impressive of all is the skilful watercolour painting that adorns her range of tiles.

Follow Charlotte on Instagram @c.a.s.t_textiledesign

The Johnson Tiles’ Design Team has been very busy lately, tracking the trends and highlighting the very best graduate designers at New Designers Part One (29 June – 2 July). As well as awarding the Johnson Tiles Associate Prize (Part One) to the extremely talented Danielle Wyatt, who blew our judges away with her collection of textured textiles, our team handed out a series of ‘Adore’ awards to the designers that truly caught their eye. Here are our ‘ones to watch’ spotted at the event in London…