Johnson Tiles ‘Adores’ at New Designers 2017 (Part One)

Faye Jones, Staffordshire University: Winner of the Johnson Tiles Associate Prize (Part One)

A designer and photographer working with mixed media and varying processes of experimentation, Faye’s collection – Inconspicuous Assault – is inspired by urban and natural decay.

With the dark trend-led, monochrome colour palette, her carved and etched laser-cut woods provide an interesting new approach to the surface of the material. Patterns are inspired by everything from mushrooms to cobwebs, all featuring a geometric twist.

Our Design Team loved the subject matter of urban decay and abandoned nature, and the narrative flowed through from the initial photography to Faye’s final designs. The attention to detail and innovative compositions clinched the top Johnson Tiles Associate Prize for Part One – a well-deserved winner. 

Discover more: @miss_jones_designs

Zoe Cook, Loughborough University

Zoe's use of texture and the shimmer of her pearlised colour palette intrigued our Design Team. Her inspiration was sourced from visits to a traditional fish market in the early hours of the morning to view the colours and shapes found on fish skin. This led to her geometric woven and digital collection.

Her work is also inspired by the fashion industry, and materials such as plastic raffia add details such as fringing. The pieces execute traditional techniques such as hand dying, which has helped her to achieve a soft and shimmering colour palette.

Discover more: @zoecooktextiles

Ellie Smales, Birmingham City University

Ellie’s luxurious landscapes, inspired by dip dyed fabrics, the Scottish Highlands and Northern Europe, particularly caught the attention of our Design Team. The digital embroidery faux effect details add to both the depth and detail of all the designs. Ellie’s chosen colour palette reflects nature with a moody edge – tying into the upcoming trends for A/W18.

Discover more: @Ellie.rose_textiledesign

Chloe Nalwoga, Heriot-Watt University

Chloe’s work is full of depth and hidden detail, utilising craftsmanship and evoking texture. She has used a range of traditional techniques and digital processes, alongside a palette of dark and deep colours – blending hues of red and blue with metallic shades and black.

Creating hidden elements with subtle lace detailing amongst the abstract painted markings, our team was drawn in by the sheer attention to detail and pops of intense colour.

Discover more: @chloe_nalwoga_

Beth Hunt, Bolton University

Beth’s work is inspired by Scandinavian influences and nature’s textures. Her collection consists of digitally printed fabrics and hand-printed processes.

With a nod towards our urban environment, sticks and leaves are used as tools for unique mark making. The aim of the collection is to celebrate pattern whilst reflecting the minimal yet functional aesthetic of Scandinavian style.

Her colour palette is a mixture of mustards, millennial pink, deep indigo and shades of grey, juxtaposed against white hues to retain commerciality.

Our Design Team was drawn to Beth's work, firstly because of the sophisticated colour combinations, and secondly due to the bold abstract shapes. 

Discover more: www.artsthread.com/profile/bethany/hunt/