The Northern School of Art is pleased to introduce our talented and skilled 2023 BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design graduates.
You can view our other course gallerieshere.
AMY WOODWARDSolo Travel
The work I have created for my Final Major Collection is based upon the theme of solo travel, within this concept I have explored ways in which travel is known to improve an individual's physical and mental health as well as how this was impacted during the covid-19 pandemic. From a personal standpoint I have explored the limitations which emetophobia (fear of being sick) imparts on travelling and how I have worked to overcome these limits by using art as an escape route for my anxiety whilst also raising awareness for the phobia and how it affects my life. The designs on display are bright, colourful and playful. All sketches completed on location, my designs have a universal feel meaning they could be used for anything surface design based. Within my miniature portfolio you are able to see some of the ways in which I imagine my designs being used within product, designs really brought to life when printed at a large scale.
Instagram: @arw_surfacedesigns
The work I have created for my Final Major Collection is based upon the theme of solo travel, within this concept I have explored ways in which travel is known to improve an individual's physical and mental health as well as how this was impacted during the covid-19 pandemic. From a personal standpoint I have explored the limitations which emetophobia (fear of being sick) imparts on travelling and how I have worked to overcome these limits by using art as an escape route for my anxiety whilst also raising awareness for the phobia and how it affects my life. The designs on display are bright, colourful and playful. All sketches completed on location, my designs have a universal feel meaning they could be used for anything surface design based. Within my miniature portfolio you are able to see some of the ways in which I imagine my designs being used within product, designs really brought to life when printed at a large scale.
Instagram: @arw_surfacedesigns
ABI BOWESA Summer in Europe
An exploration into the shapes, colours and themes that make up a summer in Europe. A calm and contemporary interiors collection inspired by emotion and the creative contrast between culture, architecture, and the simplicity of the European landscape. A collection thoughtfully designed for those who enjoy a gentler narrative whilst being creatively open to softer geometric explorations within their home.
Instagram: @studio.bowes
An exploration into the shapes, colours and themes that make up a summer in Europe. A calm and contemporary interiors collection inspired by emotion and the creative contrast between culture, architecture, and the simplicity of the European landscape. A collection thoughtfully designed for those who enjoy a gentler narrative whilst being creatively open to softer geometric explorations within their home.
Instagram: @studio.bowes
ALBY HOLCROFTOur Nature
Since 1969 the ability for the general public to access once public land has reduced by almost fifty percent. This exclusion includes denied public access to some of England's most environmentally rich forests and fields. Much of the situation, due to growing financial inequality, relates directly to an elite section of society buying up both rural and urban spaces for long term profit, land banking. This collection is an homage to nature with an underlying nod to this ever-decreasing English landscape. I’m a printmaker and freelance designer working with traditional mark making mediums. My starting point is the compressed cork and linseed oil of the lino-plate. Repeat designs are hand cut, inked and printed traditionally on an etching press before being colourised or rescaled digitally in Photoshop. For me, the marriage of old and new technologies at once retains perfectly the conscious and unconscious marks of the artist whilst simultaneously simplifying other more unwieldy, wasteful or time-consuming processes.
Instagram: @albyholcroft
Website
Since 1969 the ability for the general public to access once public land has reduced by almost fifty percent. This exclusion includes denied public access to some of England's most environmentally rich forests and fields. Much of the situation, due to growing financial inequality, relates directly to an elite section of society buying up both rural and urban spaces for long term profit, land banking. This collection is an homage to nature with an underlying nod to this ever-decreasing English landscape. I’m a printmaker and freelance designer working with traditional mark making mediums. My starting point is the compressed cork and linseed oil of the lino-plate. Repeat designs are hand cut, inked and printed traditionally on an etching press before being colourised or rescaled digitally in Photoshop. For me, the marriage of old and new technologies at once retains perfectly the conscious and unconscious marks of the artist whilst simultaneously simplifying other more unwieldy, wasteful or time-consuming processes.
Instagram: @albyholcroft
Website
BETH ALLINSONA Journey in Time
I am a passionate Textiles and Surface Designer, specialising in creating digital print, with an emphasis on narrative and illustration. Within my work I place a lot of intent on showcasing my love for the creatures of our planet and all the beautiful things that our world has for us to witness and admire. An abundance of animals, plants and natural objects are guaranteed to be visible in my work. My most recent collection, ‘A Journey in Time’, the work you are seeing, is inspired by the evolution of today’s living creatures most closely related to their prehistoric ancestors. A celebration of creatures both past and present. A collection of things you could find in museum archives, items used for expeditions to make amazing scientific discoveries and documents/records of creatures found along the way.
My designs are for interiors and are aimed at people who love to incorporate nature into all aspects of their lives and immerse themselves and their homes with patterns that can bring nature inside and onto their walls, furniture and products. Using my passion for design and illustration, I plan on having a successful career within the creative industry while continuing to do what I love, bringing people joy from my creations and celebrating our beautiful planet and all its inhabitants.
Instagram: @ba.d.esigns
Website
I am a passionate Textiles and Surface Designer, specialising in creating digital print, with an emphasis on narrative and illustration. Within my work I place a lot of intent on showcasing my love for the creatures of our planet and all the beautiful things that our world has for us to witness and admire. An abundance of animals, plants and natural objects are guaranteed to be visible in my work. My most recent collection, ‘A Journey in Time’, the work you are seeing, is inspired by the evolution of today’s living creatures most closely related to their prehistoric ancestors. A celebration of creatures both past and present. A collection of things you could find in museum archives, items used for expeditions to make amazing scientific discoveries and documents/records of creatures found along the way.
My designs are for interiors and are aimed at people who love to incorporate nature into all aspects of their lives and immerse themselves and their homes with patterns that can bring nature inside and onto their walls, furniture and products. Using my passion for design and illustration, I plan on having a successful career within the creative industry while continuing to do what I love, bringing people joy from my creations and celebrating our beautiful planet and all its inhabitants.
Instagram: @ba.d.esigns
Website
BRITANI COLLINSIbiza Magic
My name is Britani Morona Collins, I am a digital fashion print designer. My concept is ‘Ibiza Magic’ inspired by the summer of 2022 when I holidayed there with my friends, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The island is one of my favourite places on earth, I love that everyone goes there to have a good time no matter what gender, sexuality, shape or size and I wish the same for my brand. Everything on the island inspired me, from the beautiful palm trees to the light displays in the major clubs. This, combined with inspiration from the SS23 catwalk collections. Keeping up to date with the latest trends, I used Photoshop, Illustrator and Procreate to turn those visuals into bright and colourful fashion print designs. My goal is to create funky patterns to be worn by festival and holiday-goers, making them feel empowered to express themselves through colour and pattern. I plan to continue developing my digital skills, constantly expanding my knowledge and using programs in new innovative ways to one day hopefully see my prints featured by big fashion brands such as ASOS.
Instagram: @itsbritanistitch
Website
My name is Britani Morona Collins, I am a digital fashion print designer. My concept is ‘Ibiza Magic’ inspired by the summer of 2022 when I holidayed there with my friends, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The island is one of my favourite places on earth, I love that everyone goes there to have a good time no matter what gender, sexuality, shape or size and I wish the same for my brand. Everything on the island inspired me, from the beautiful palm trees to the light displays in the major clubs. This, combined with inspiration from the SS23 catwalk collections. Keeping up to date with the latest trends, I used Photoshop, Illustrator and Procreate to turn those visuals into bright and colourful fashion print designs. My goal is to create funky patterns to be worn by festival and holiday-goers, making them feel empowered to express themselves through colour and pattern. I plan to continue developing my digital skills, constantly expanding my knowledge and using programs in new innovative ways to one day hopefully see my prints featured by big fashion brands such as ASOS.
Instagram: @itsbritanistitch
Website
CHARLOTTE ASHURSTPsychedelic Dreaming
I have tried to convey the feeling of a dreamlike state with a psychedelic twist and so my concept for this project is 1960s/70s psychedelics meets dream theory. These designs are inspired by the 1800s Art Nouveau style, later adopted in the 1960s with a bold, colourful twist. I have used this style within repeat pattern and placement designs for unisex fashion fabrics, aimed at people who also love the retro style and ‘trippy’ art.
Insta: @cema_textile.design
I have tried to convey the feeling of a dreamlike state with a psychedelic twist and so my concept for this project is 1960s/70s psychedelics meets dream theory. These designs are inspired by the 1800s Art Nouveau style, later adopted in the 1960s with a bold, colourful twist. I have used this style within repeat pattern and placement designs for unisex fashion fabrics, aimed at people who also love the retro style and ‘trippy’ art.
Insta: @cema_textile.design
ELLIE LEVITT-COEDopamine Chasing
For this project I really wanted to let loose and create something that I wanted to make for both myself, and people like me. As someone with ADHD I wanted to create an interiors collection that would have enough colour and pattern to be stimulating to view, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. I was very inspired by the Russian Constructivist, Bauhaus and Memphis movements due to their use of colour and abstract shapes; these movements, despite being many years and miles apart, encourage use of bold design to change focus of furniture and textile design, away from Modernism.
ADHD is technically a dopamine deficiency disorder, meaning that the brain can’t always respond to the release of dopamine (a ‘feel good’ chemical). This is why I encouraged myself with this project to follow what made me happy and to drop the things that I found boring. This led to a bright colourful project with lots of repetitive actions such as painting and layering/collage techniques that allowed me to get unexpected and surprising outcomes.
Instagram: @ellie.jean.artist
For this project I really wanted to let loose and create something that I wanted to make for both myself, and people like me. As someone with ADHD I wanted to create an interiors collection that would have enough colour and pattern to be stimulating to view, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. I was very inspired by the Russian Constructivist, Bauhaus and Memphis movements due to their use of colour and abstract shapes; these movements, despite being many years and miles apart, encourage use of bold design to change focus of furniture and textile design, away from Modernism.
ADHD is technically a dopamine deficiency disorder, meaning that the brain can’t always respond to the release of dopamine (a ‘feel good’ chemical). This is why I encouraged myself with this project to follow what made me happy and to drop the things that I found boring. This led to a bright colourful project with lots of repetitive actions such as painting and layering/collage techniques that allowed me to get unexpected and surprising outcomes.
Instagram: @ellie.jean.artist
HELEN HOLCROFT An English Concrete Garden
Growing up in a post-war new town in the North East I was unwittingly immersed in the optimism of a newly structured society. Surrounded by Brutalist buildings and formulaic streets, my childhood was one of concrete and flower beds, a strange mix of practicality and puzzling anonymity. My collection shows my conflicted feelings regarding sharp-edged buildings punctuated by organically injected nature. After fighting against this post-war backdrop, I have accepted and come to love the landscape that nurtured me. I am a freelance designer and a traditional printmaker who also embraces a love of digital arts. My work develops organically allowing the natural contrasts of shapes and colours to work with and sometimes against each other.
Instagram: @anenglishconcretegarden
Website
Growing up in a post-war new town in the North East I was unwittingly immersed in the optimism of a newly structured society. Surrounded by Brutalist buildings and formulaic streets, my childhood was one of concrete and flower beds, a strange mix of practicality and puzzling anonymity. My collection shows my conflicted feelings regarding sharp-edged buildings punctuated by organically injected nature. After fighting against this post-war backdrop, I have accepted and come to love the landscape that nurtured me. I am a freelance designer and a traditional printmaker who also embraces a love of digital arts. My work develops organically allowing the natural contrasts of shapes and colours to work with and sometimes against each other.
Instagram: @anenglishconcretegarden
Website
JASMINE WATTThe Dwindling Deeps
I am lover of all things colour and pattern. Influenced heavily by nature, my work aims to capture the beauty that surrounds us. My most recent collection does just that. 'The Dwindling Deeps' is an ocean-themed collection portraying the beauty of our oceans. My aim for this project is to remind the audience of the watery world we are rapidly losing. Using bright vivid colours really helps to bring my work to life and captures the vibrancy of sea life. The main focal points of my designs must be my drawings. Creating detailed studies using both hand-rendered and digital methods gives my collection a realistic feel. This has been one of my favourite collections to work on. Not only has it allowed me to work with colour, but it has helped in developing my skill sets.
Instagram: @jasmine.amberr
Website
I am lover of all things colour and pattern. Influenced heavily by nature, my work aims to capture the beauty that surrounds us. My most recent collection does just that. 'The Dwindling Deeps' is an ocean-themed collection portraying the beauty of our oceans. My aim for this project is to remind the audience of the watery world we are rapidly losing. Using bright vivid colours really helps to bring my work to life and captures the vibrancy of sea life. The main focal points of my designs must be my drawings. Creating detailed studies using both hand-rendered and digital methods gives my collection a realistic feel. This has been one of my favourite collections to work on. Not only has it allowed me to work with colour, but it has helped in developing my skill sets.
Instagram: @jasmine.amberr
Website
JESS MOORE-GREENWOODDreamworld
‘Dreamworld’ is my naïve up close and personal concept. It is a representation of my ideas, which thrive to create an eclectic, playful, surreal environment where there are no boundaries to the imagination. It gives permission to view my idyllic fantasies and thoughts. Opening my mind for you to enter and gaze around in wonder and awe. It encourages the possibility of an almost limitless imagination and how powerful this could truly be. ‘Dreamworld’ invites you to enter for a minute but seduces you to remain and indulge in never-ending possibilities. This collection of daring digital designs and a decorative, hand-embellished wearable-art garment is aimed at the high-end fashion market, attracting those who dare to be bold.
Instagram: @junkofjess
LinkedIn
Website
‘Dreamworld’ is my naïve up close and personal concept. It is a representation of my ideas, which thrive to create an eclectic, playful, surreal environment where there are no boundaries to the imagination. It gives permission to view my idyllic fantasies and thoughts. Opening my mind for you to enter and gaze around in wonder and awe. It encourages the possibility of an almost limitless imagination and how powerful this could truly be. ‘Dreamworld’ invites you to enter for a minute but seduces you to remain and indulge in never-ending possibilities. This collection of daring digital designs and a decorative, hand-embellished wearable-art garment is aimed at the high-end fashion market, attracting those who dare to be bold.
Instagram: @junkofjess
Website
LAUREN DEVINEContrasts
My project is based around contrast. It focuses on themes such as light versus dark, negative space versus positive space, clashing colours versus monochrome colours. This has allowed me to visually communicate my experience as an autistic woman.
My work is bright, busy and very stimulating which is often how I perceive the world. I have designed and created a range of interior design products based around this unique perspective. My work is aimed at people who want to bring bright colour, busy pattern and maximalism into their space.
Instagram: @_glory_bee_
Website
My project is based around contrast. It focuses on themes such as light versus dark, negative space versus positive space, clashing colours versus monochrome colours. This has allowed me to visually communicate my experience as an autistic woman.
My work is bright, busy and very stimulating which is often how I perceive the world. I have designed and created a range of interior design products based around this unique perspective. My work is aimed at people who want to bring bright colour, busy pattern and maximalism into their space.
Instagram: @_glory_bee_
Website
LILY COCKFIELDAmsterdam – Anatomy of a City
My concept is inspired by Amsterdam’s diverse fashion scene and the eclectic vibe of the city. I have designed and created a collection of fashion lengths and products to represent my take on individuality and inclusivity within the fashion scene today. My work aims to challenge the idea of conformity and influence self-expression. My project is aimed at people who want to redefine their style with innovative streetwear designs. These design products are intended to represent the vibe of Amsterdam and fashion freedom. In this past year I’ve discovered who I am as a designer, and I can’t wait to take my ideas to the next level. My goals for the future are to expand on my creative knowledge and develop my practice so that my work reflects innovative thinking and displays a high level of technical understanding. I will endeavour to take any opportunity that comes my way and embrace the skills I’ve learned throughout my creative journey!
Instagram: @lrose.designs
LinkedIn
My concept is inspired by Amsterdam’s diverse fashion scene and the eclectic vibe of the city. I have designed and created a collection of fashion lengths and products to represent my take on individuality and inclusivity within the fashion scene today. My work aims to challenge the idea of conformity and influence self-expression. My project is aimed at people who want to redefine their style with innovative streetwear designs. These design products are intended to represent the vibe of Amsterdam and fashion freedom. In this past year I’ve discovered who I am as a designer, and I can’t wait to take my ideas to the next level. My goals for the future are to expand on my creative knowledge and develop my practice so that my work reflects innovative thinking and displays a high level of technical understanding. I will endeavour to take any opportunity that comes my way and embrace the skills I’ve learned throughout my creative journey!
Instagram: @lrose.designs
LISA MCQUEENEYNanna's Apples
My concept for this design is based around nostalgia. The memories of climbing my grandparent's apple trees are the inspiration behind my creative process. Helping my grandma to pick the apples when l was a child was one of my favourite things to do! I loved to see the blossom bloom on the trees with the added pleasure of eating my grandma's homemade apple pies. My design represents the changes within seasons of a blossom tree and my colour pallet is influenced by nature.
I am enthusiastic when it comes to creating, with a big passion for hand rendered approaches to design, specifically fine art and sculpture. My ambition for the future is to use the knowledge and skills I’ve developed during my degree and take opportunities I feel will benefit my career. I’m always open to new experiences that will help me to push myself within the creative industries.
Instagram: @Lmcq_creations
My concept for this design is based around nostalgia. The memories of climbing my grandparent's apple trees are the inspiration behind my creative process. Helping my grandma to pick the apples when l was a child was one of my favourite things to do! I loved to see the blossom bloom on the trees with the added pleasure of eating my grandma's homemade apple pies. My design represents the changes within seasons of a blossom tree and my colour pallet is influenced by nature.
I am enthusiastic when it comes to creating, with a big passion for hand rendered approaches to design, specifically fine art and sculpture. My ambition for the future is to use the knowledge and skills I’ve developed during my degree and take opportunities I feel will benefit my career. I’m always open to new experiences that will help me to push myself within the creative industries.
Instagram: @Lmcq_creations
RACHAEL MCKENNACircle of Spirituality
My concept is inspired by spirituality and my personal journey. I have used my own photographs of all the elements I feel have been an important part of my spiritual journey which includes family, music and nature. I have developed these photographs into designs for a collection of alternative graphic prints for t-shirts. I have featured circle shapes throughout my work as this is an important symbol of spirituality representing wholeness, completeness, divine symmetry and balance. My work aims to spark interest in your own spiritual journey and what spirituality means to you…
Instagram: @rachaelfaydesign
My concept is inspired by spirituality and my personal journey. I have used my own photographs of all the elements I feel have been an important part of my spiritual journey which includes family, music and nature. I have developed these photographs into designs for a collection of alternative graphic prints for t-shirts. I have featured circle shapes throughout my work as this is an important symbol of spirituality representing wholeness, completeness, divine symmetry and balance. My work aims to spark interest in your own spiritual journey and what spirituality means to you…
Instagram: @rachaelfaydesign
ROBIN MCLAUGHLINDUAT
My concept is inspired by the Ancient Egyptian afterlife and death. Delving into how a body is prepared for its next life and the journey a soul would take to find eternal paradise known as the Daut, a dream-like version of real life, a field of reeds where the dead would work and rest without disease or pain. They viewed death as the next cessation of life rather than the end. This collection is achieved using hand-printed and digital textile printing processes. I am a process-led surface print designer, and my work is aimed at the high-end fashion market influenced by Alexander McQueen’s photographic designs, Roksanda’s application of colour, and Proenza Schouler’s use of print and scale.
Instagram: @mclaughlintextiles
LinkedIn
My concept is inspired by the Ancient Egyptian afterlife and death. Delving into how a body is prepared for its next life and the journey a soul would take to find eternal paradise known as the Daut, a dream-like version of real life, a field of reeds where the dead would work and rest without disease or pain. They viewed death as the next cessation of life rather than the end. This collection is achieved using hand-printed and digital textile printing processes. I am a process-led surface print designer, and my work is aimed at the high-end fashion market influenced by Alexander McQueen’s photographic designs, Roksanda’s application of colour, and Proenza Schouler’s use of print and scale.
Instagram: @mclaughlintextiles
