Habitat x New Designers Alumni
Thursday 29 June
12:00 - 12:45
Panel
Andrew Tanner, Head of Design – Home & Furniture, Habitat
Holly Kemp, Senior Design – Kitchenshop, Habitat
Kate McCormack, Furniture Designer, Habitat
An insight to how the careers of three designers who started their careers at New Designers. Hear about their professional journeys so far and gain insight into the lessons they’ve learnt along the way. Including practical and related advise for young creatives.
All talks and workshops are free to attend with a valid ticket to New Designers. To attend a talk or workshop please book your ticket to New Designers, making sure to book on the corresponding day. You may then reserve your place to attend the talk or workshop using the link below.
Andrew Tanner graduated in Craft, Specialising in Ceramics from the University of Brighton.
Andrew started his own practice in 1999 to create a new partnership between manufacturers, retailers and authentic design. Andrew has been an industry consultant, designer, mentor and author over the last 26 years, with a passion and empathy for combining original design for retail whilst exploring different craft and manufacturing processes.
In 2005 he was awarded the Young Designer of the Year and in 2010, was awarded the Young Entrepreneur in Design Award by the British Council. Andrew’s private collections have been sold in many design retailers both in the UK and worldwide and through galleries, fashion design houses, department stores and museums of modern art.
Andrew is also the Industry Brand Ambassador for the organization Design Nation; the UK’s largest support portfolio for both established and new emerging designers. In 2014 Andrew joined Sainsburys Home as their Design Manager across Home and Furniture and in 2019 joined Habitat as their Head of Design.
As Head of Design for Habitat Andrew leads a dedicated team of 29 global product developers and designers who create furniture, accessories and product.
Kate McCormack graduated in Furniture & Product Design from Nottingham Trent University in 2020, taking part in New Designers’ online during the pandemic.
Originally with a background in Fine Art, Kate changed her pathway to design after studying the Arts and Crafts movement, creating a series of wallpaper designs. Deciding that the three-dimensional qualities of design interested her the most, Kate decided to combine her love of colour and form and apply it to furniture and product design.
Kate has experience across design disciplines, including working with former surface designer Olivia Aspinall Studio, contract furniture company Deadgood, as well as designing, making and selling her own homewares. All of which developed her skills in colour and its application across materials, interiors, products and consumer.
After graduating, Kate worked as the Lead Creative at contract furniture company JDD, working with Interior Designers and Architects, creating 3D visuals, advising on CMF and space planning. Kate has since shifted her career into home and furnishings at Habitat as a Furniture Designer, while working across categories to help design lighting and home accessories.
Holly Kemp studied a 3D Design at Loughborough University where she found her love for slip cast ceramics which, after graduating in 2016, invigorated her to continue studying and pursue a Masters degree in Ceramic Design within The Potteries of Stoke on Trent. Whilst studying for her Masters, Holly set up her own ceramic design business and her work has been featured in various magazines and blogs.
Through showcasing her work at New Designers in 2018, she was selected as a ‘One to Watch’ by the Sainsbury’s Home Design Team and invited to interview for the role of Assistant Designer in the Home Accessories Team. Since then, Holly has been designing a wide range of products to include home fragrance, home accessories, lighting and is now the Senior Designer on Table and Cook.