[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Head of Employability and External Relations, Patrick Chapman was invited to chair the question and answer session at the design talk with international brand, Mini Moderns.

Design Talk is a series of talks with industry professionals created by Design Event, which are hosted at The Northern Design Centre, Gateshead.

Mini Moderns was established in 2006 by designers, Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire. The brand specialises in applied pattern across a range of products including wallpapers, fabrics, cushions, bedding and ceramics.

The duo’s design influences encompass mid-century British textiles, ceramics and collectibles. Sharing a passion for social history, their work is often informed by childhood memories, literature and travel. As well as launching their own collections, Mini Moderns work on a number of commissions, including recent collaborations with the Courtauld Gallery, Southbank Centre, National Theatre and the London Transport Museum.

They uniquely create ‘pattern with a story’ where all their pattern designs are created with a strong personal narrative.

Mark and Keith’s collective design experience spans fashion, product and interiors, as well as corporate branding and design. Keith, who studied at our Burlam Road site, has held senior creative roles at Pepe Jeans London, Dr Martens and Red or Dead. Keith met Mark whilst working in a London branding and design agency. Finding the world of corporate design too restrictive, Mark and Keith followed their joint passion for interiors, reigniting people’s interest in wallpaper design with their first collection. What was originally intended as a creative outlet quickly established itself as a successful business, and Mini Moderns now sells throughout Europe, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

Key to the brand’s success are the long term relationships forged with trusted suppliers, helping to support UK business whenever possible. Products created in this way bear the standard: ‘Made in the UK by nice people’. Recently the design duo have worked with licence partners such as Wild & Wolf, Ulster Weavers, The Window Film Company, Vlaze, John Lewis and KMI Brands.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]