ND COMMUNITY
Introducing the Textile Designers who define their industry
As the UK's most established Design Fair, New Designers has been a launching pad for thousands of influential members of the design industry. The ND Community is a collective of previous exhibitors, professionals and alumni who have all impacted the fair over the 38 years of its history and who continue to thrive in the design industry. Each week on our blog, we'll be bringing you face to face with the ND alums who define the design world.
This week, we've got to know several leading professionals in the textiles industry. Designers from John Lewis, Hallmark, Sainsbury's and more have given us an insight into their careers and how their design journeys began.
EVE GRAY
Creative Development Director, Hallmark
How did you get into the creative industry?
‘Everything started with an interest in making my own clothes which I still do to this day. At Sixth Form, a friend told me about this thing called a Foundation Course, curious to learn more, I went to visit said course and was amazed that you could actually do art and design all day and then also pursue as a career, I was then hooked. A subsequent degree in Fashion + Textiles at Liverpool School of Art (Printed Textiles) and an MA at Manchester School of Art (Printed Textiles) started the ball rolling of a being a freelance designer, and an academic career evolved quite quickly after graduation.
5 years ago I came to Hallmark.’
Which 5 words would you use to describe yourself as a designer?
‘1. Curious
2. Considered
3. Playful
4. Questioning
5. Witty when I get the chance’
What does ND mean to your company?
‘ND has been significant for Hallmark. As a long-standing sponsor of the event, many of our creative team have connected with us through exhibiting at ND. The event is a great way for us to spot emerging talent, provide our support and offer words of encouragement to graduates and get a flavour of the zeitgeist across many disciplines.’
WENDY WHITE
Home Designer, John Lewis (ND 2012)
Wendy exhibited at ND in 2012, and went on to work at Skew Studio, Cath Kidston and Caroline Gardner before eventually becoming a Home Designer at John Lewis. Along the way, Wendy won a Man Group Drawing Prize for excellence in Drawing as well as being selected by Dutch Designer Lidewij Edelkoort to exhibit on the ‘Talking Textiles’ stand at Milan Furniture Fair.
‘New Designers was a fantastic first step for me to connect with the design industry and gain feedback from other designers working in the industry. The conversations I had were a good springboard to leading me down the path that I followed for my future career.
Below, Wendy tells us about her exciting work at John Lewis;
‘I’ve worked on a selection of John Lewis products, such as:
- Gifting: ceramics, make up bags & accessories, gift bags, rollwrap, gift food packaging.
- Home product such as tablewear, tea towels, outdoor cushions, deckchairs & print and pattern for cushions & duvets.
- Kids interior range & kids fashion.
In my current position, my main focus is seasonal design at John Lewis, so this includes all the pattern and product for Christmas, Easter and the other seasonal events.’
MELISSA BAGGALEY
Designer, Woven Textiles, John Lewis (ND 2013)
Design by Melissa Baggaley. Courtesy of John Lewis
How did you get into the creative industry?
‘I did an Art Foundation year after A-Levels, then went on to study Textiles at university, working across print, knit and weave and later specialising in weave. I did several design placements/internships whilst at university and shortly after, at both printed and woven textiles companies including Wallace Sewell. A few months after leaving University I got a job at Kirkby Design, part of The Romo Group, where I worked for 4 and a half years, then moving onto John Lewis design studio where I’ve been working for 4 years now.’
Some of Melissa’s design projects include…
‘Whilst at Kirkby Design I designed and developed woven and printed upholstery fabrics and wallcoverings as well as working on collaboration projects with leading designers.
In the Home Textiles design team at John Lewis we all work on originating designs that are then applied to products by the designer who is responsible for each product area.
I’m responsible for developing woven textile products for:
- Furnishing Fabrics
- Made to Measure Curtains + Blinds
- Ready-Made Curtains
- Upholstery Fabrics
- Cushions
- Throws & Blankets
And I consult on multiple product areas advising on woven fabric developments including:
- Kitchen Textiles
- Gifting’
Design by Daniel Heath. Courtesy of Daniel Heath Studio
DANIEL HEATH
Independent Designer, Daniel Heath Studio (ND 2005)
Daniel came to ND in 2005, and now owns his own independent design studio, specialising in wallpaper, textiles and surface design. Daniel’s award winning designs are known for their illustrative and engaging qualities, as well as frequently making use of up-cycling and re-appropriation of authentic heritage materials to ensure sustainability.
‘ND was fantastic for me. It launched my career. I was spotted by World of Interiors magazine whilst exhibiting my graduate collection of wallpapers at ND and they decided to run a multi-page article in the magazine about me and my work. A couple of years later one of my biggest collaborators (Retrouvius) spotted me in the magazine and got in touch, providing me with my first commission and lots of future projects. Exhibiting at ND was my first time showing my work outside of uni, and I really enjoyed speaking to visitors and learning how to talk about my work.’
SOPHIE McDONALD
Operations and Marketing Manager, The Pattern Cloud (ND 2015)
How did you get into the creative industry?
‘I studied Printed Textiles at Leeds Arts University and knew that I wanted to become a print designer for women’s fashion. After exhibiting at New Designers I landed my first role as Print Designer at Bay and Brown Print Studio.’
Sophie now works as the Operations and Marketing Manager for The Pattern Cloud. Her designs have been in fashion outlets around the world, from high street to high end, including women’s fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren and Anthropologie.
‘Exhibiting at New Designers helped me immensely as I was able to meet industry professionals and learn how to sell myself. I had the fortune to meet Tracey Brown from Bay and Brown Print studio, which then followed me getting a job offer a few weeks later and moving to London. Since then I have been the Studio Manager for Bay and Brown for 6 years and recently moved to Tracey’s other business The Pattern Cloud as Operations Manager. New Designers definitely gave me the start to my career but also gave me the confidence to pursue a career in design.’
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