02 December 2012

Material Lab Visit - London

Second Year Surface Designers visited Material Lab in London last week.
The visit was part of their second project briefing. Accompanied by Surface Design Senior Lecturer Jethro Macey, students met with Jim Biddulph - Projects and Materials Co-ordinator 

Everyone had a great time. Thank you Jim! We look forward to seeing you in the Red Shed studio in the new year.

www.material-lab.co.uk

Second Year Surface Design projects include workshops in metalworking, laser cutting, plastics, vacuum forming, Photoshop, embossing, letter press, printmaking and wood techniques. Students develop their making skills in the second year and choose a material and making process for the final year.


14 November 2012

NEW DESIGN BRITAIN AWARDS 2013
Great News- recent graduates Ceri Stephenson (Surface 12) and Helen Dugdale 
(Surface 12) have been shortlisted in the New Design Britain Awards - SURFACES category 2013

Two of the four finalists within this category, we wish both Ceri and Helen 
good luck in the final judging.

Many congratulations from us all in the Red Shed.



Helen Dugdale (2012)
Innovative paper knotwoods
http://www.artsthread.com/p/ceristephenson

The New Design Britain Awards are one of the most important competitions 
in the UK for young design talent, giving recognition to students for innovative 
and ground-breaking work and providing an opportunity for INTERIORS UK to 
encourage new young stars and look to the future of the furniture industry.

The New Design Britain Award winner will have the chance to display their 
designs and products at INTERIORS UK 2013 and WIN a placement with a 
leading industry supplier.

17 October 2012

Hannah Simpson, JIGSAW and the WOOL SCHOOL Project

Hannah Simpson (Knit 2012) e-mailed us this week to update us on her great success in the Jigsaw/ Wool School 2012 competition. Many congratulations!


JIGSAW 2012
Hannah's collection of beautifully hand knitted swatches were selected by JIGSAW designers and put into production over the summer. Her work was shown in The TImes newspaper last week.


Please see the April post below to learn more about the Competition. Fiona Ross, Leader of the Knitted Textiles Pathway said how much they had enjoyed working with the Jigsaw Design Team and the Wool School during the competition.

Hannah writes - 'If you would like to view any.. (of the press releases) just Google- Hannah Simpson Wool School. My most resent is on the Jigsaw Blog and a feature in Country and Town House Magazine. I attended the press event last week, The launch Party was last night. It was the most amazing experience ever. I was talking to manufactures from Australia, members of the The British Wool Marketing Board and so many other members that are all involved in the process and the manufacturing of wool, that work with designers to keep the supplier chain going. It was such a great opportunity to interact and expand my contacts.'


Wool School Winners
Hannah at the Launch Event















To see Hannah's work on line and more information about the Wool School, Hannah has sent the following web links:






30 September 2012

SHED at Indigo, Paris September 2012


Printed Textiles Leader Paul Murphy and 2012 Graduates headed out to Paris to show work at Indigo, Fashion Edition the creative textile and surface design show, held at Parc des Expositions.

The stand, designed by Fiona Ross, was widely admired by industry and fellow designers alike. 

Other 2012 graduates who were showing work with their new companies stopped by to say hello to Paul, Libby (Printed Textiles 2012) and Katie (Knitted Textiles 2012).

Design work was bought by leading printed and knitted textiles manufacturers from across Europe. The course has shown at Indigo, Paris for over 10 years and built a strong reputation for design innovation.

The aim of SHED is to act as an interface between graduates and business. Once again companies showed interest in working with our graduate designers.








SHED Interiors shows at TENT London

Surface Design and Knitted Textiles Graduates met up in September to show as part of SHED Interiors at 
TENT London at the Truman Brewery.


The response from fellow exhibitors and visitors to the show was fantastic. 

Senior Lecturer Karina Thomas (shown below with Lucy and Sam) designed the stand along with Surface Design Leader Lauren Moriarty. 

Graduates and the textiles  team assisted by helping display work.

Well done and best wishes to all our graduate exhibitors.




02 July 2012




New Designers 2012 - Once again our graduates had a fantastic week at the Business Design Centre in Islington showing as part of New Designers 2012.

Our large stand received huge praise from all who visited and many of our graduates made valuable contacts with designers and industry. 

We also said hello to many of our graduates and industry partners and arranged new live projects for current students.

Graduates also had the chance to attend business lectures and advice events run by the New Designers Team.

All 54 graduates attended (see below) and exhibited their work this year. We developed a new central layout to the stand incorporating a large design table created to exhibit work from the Surface Design pathway.

Over the next few months we look forward to hearing from our graduates about their new contacts and links.


In September 2012 Graduates will also be showing as part of two design shows.

TENT London from the 20th - 23rd September at the Truman Brewery London.

INDIGO Paris - 19th - 21st September 2012 at the Parc d'Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte.

We hope you can visit our stands and we look forward to seeing you soon.

10 June 2012


The BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design 2012 Degree Show
Design for Fashion and the Interior


Please join us in the Red Shed Studio at our High Wycombe Campus to see our graduate design collections. 

Students have created some amazing pieces working in the areas of 

Knitted Textiles, Printed Textiles and Surface Design for fashion and the interior



The MA showcase is also open in the Rose Garden exhibition space - floor one.

Links to maps, show details and opening times are listed below.
Please contact the course team if you would like to arrange a guided tour by calling 01494 605102.

The show is open from Monday 11th of June until Thursday 14th June.

Please visit the Bucks Web site for maps and information about all the 

Bucks New University 2012 - Art and Design shows at DEGREE SHOWS 2012


04 May 2012

Live project with International Trend Company STYLESIGHT



Third Year Textiles and Surface Design students presented their drawings and research ideas to international trend company Stylesight as part of a live project run in the first semester.

Research and drawings were included in the Stylesight future trend pages. As part of the project three graduate internships were also up for grabs. 

Many congratulations to project winners Maria Duarte Silva (Knitted Textiles), Sophie Rackstraw (Surface Design), Chloe Turner (Surface Design).

Stylesight 2012
Stylesight is the industry-leading content and technology solution for professionals in the style, fashion and design sectors. We deliver global information and a visionary online workspace designed to help you anticipate and analyze an ever-changing marketplace.



29 April 2012

Bradford Textiles Competition 2012

First Year Textiles and Surface Design student Emmeline Kellet has won first prize in the Bradford Textiles Society competition Clothworkers' Foundation award - any knitted fabric in any fibre or blend.

The awards ceremony is in Bradford on Wednesday.

The Bradford Textile Society Design competition is recognised as being the most prestigious competition of its kind in the United Kingdom.

This is the second year that a student from the course has won this category - Many Congratulations Emmeline!

 Emmeline Kellet 2012
















For more information about the competition and the Society please visit

24 April 2012

Art, Design and Media Student Award 2012


William Lee, Level 5 Surface Design student, has taken part in the Art, Design and Media Student Award 2012 entitled 'Reflection: Learning Experiences in Art, Design and Media'. 

Organised by Networks at the University of Brighton, the award provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their work alongside a range of UK institutions to a global audience. Students were asked to focus on their experiences of learning in art, design and media and submit an image or piece of multimedia accompanied by a short statement that reflects the epiphanies, inspirations, enablers and opportunities that are part of the experience of higher education.

http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/projects/networks/issue-17-april-2013/art-design-and-media-student-award-2012

Online voting is open on the above link until Friday 11th May 2012. Good luck William!

20 April 2012

Printed Textiles Graduate Jenna Gibson RCA designs for HUGO

Printed Textiles graduate Jenna Gibson (2008) contacted Paul Murphy, Head of Printed Textiles, to tell him about her most recent design collaboration with fashion label HUGO (Hugo Boss). www.hugoboss.com


HUGO S/S 12




Jenna studied at the Royal College of Art in London after graduating from our course in 2008. While at the RCA she developed a wonderful collection of digital designs showing her extensive skill in printing, dyeing and pattern composition.

See more of Jenna's work on her website at jennagibson.co.uk
A film of the catwalk show can be also be viewed on the website.
Many congratulations Jenna!

11 April 2012

British Fashion Council - Heads of Course Seminar

British Fashion Council Colleges Council 
- Heads of Course Seminar 2012

Course Leader Andie Robertson and Senior Knitted Textiles Technician Alison Firth attended the 2012 BFCCC Heads of Course Seminar held in association with Harrods, hosted by Anne Tyrrell MBE.


Anne Tyrrell MBE 

Guest Speakers included
All students are invited to join Andie and Alison for a lunch time briefing about this Course Seminar - to be held in the final term, details to follow.

HRH Campaign for Wool Competition with JIGSAW

HRH Campaign for Wool competition- with Fashion company JIGSAW

www.campaignforwool.org

Knitted Textiles students visited the prestigious Jigsaw Design Studios in London to meet Lucia Wood as part of the Campaign for Wool - WOOL SCHOOL competition. 





















The Campaign for Wool is a body of industry leaders convened by HRH The Prince of Wales to raise awareness of the many natural qualities of wool, encourage consumers to buy more wool and inspire designers and retailers to create and sell more wool rich products, hopeful that the end result will have a positive effect on the global wool industry.

WOOL SCHOOL is a collaboration between Campaign for Wool partner retailers and fashion universities across the United Kingdom. To create special sweaters which are available in store as a limited item, the sale of which starting with Wool Week 2012.

One student will be chosen at the end of the project and their jumper design will be developed, produced and launched in stores to coincide with UK Wool Week: 15th-21st October 2012. 

As a part of the programme retailers will also donate 5% of sales of the garments produced which will go into a central fund and be split evenly as a donation to all universities involved – to encourage fashion design development in the United Kingdom for future years.

Jigsaw is a British company that has been involved in the design, manufacturing and retailing of clothes and accessories for over thirty-five years. The first store opened in Hampstead in 1972 and the company has steadily expanded to currently operate over 50 stores in the UK. In 1996 Jigsaw Junior was established to extend the product range from purely women’s fashion.


18 February 2012

The Green Society at Bucks New University


The Green Society was established with the aim of creating awareness of green issues at the university. To help students become more aware of sustainability and green issues that affect our specific chosen subjects; expressing the importance of knowledge of sustainability for our future employability.
We want this society to be seen as another way for students to actively get involved in projects and schemes.
The idea for the society was formed when a number of Textiles Surface Design students created a group called Green Shed in 2010. We soon realised other students were interested in these sorts of issues, so we decided to set up a University wide group. We are all volunteers and meet to discuss and choose projects. 
The Green Society is run by a committee made up of a chair, secretary and treasurer. 
Our future plans are to touch base with international green organisations and get involved in carrying out projects all around the UK. 
Every member has also taken part in Energy Champion training. 
Founding Members, Lauren, Grace, Liza (Chair) and Gavin.
We are currently working on a variety of campaigns that we plan to begin very shortly, these include:
  • Designing and creating a garden for a local festival
  • Involvement with plans with the Woodland Service and High Wycombe and environment centre
  • Moss Graffiti and Gorilla gardening campaigns in different areas of London
  • Competitions such as the “chipshopawards” www.chipshopawards.com
  • Involvement of students at Bucks New Uni, such as volunteering events around the University and an accreditation scheme.

Watch this space for future events. For more information about the society and University initiatives click here


12 February 2012

Second Year Knit Students visit Pitti Filati Trade Fair in Florence, Italy.


Second Year Knitted Textiles students flew to Florence last weekend and Anisah reported from the show. Everyone had a wonderful four day visit.

'The trend area was an insightful highlight. ‘Futurural’ was the main theme of the show with subthemes of ‘Future Farm’, ‘Rural Scape’, ‘Sunday’, and ‘A-Mish’. The mood was futuristic and fresh. The show explored the relationship between people and the rural environment with an emphasis on natural fibres and colours. I thought it was a fitting trend due to the pressures on the design world to become more environmentally aware. A few companies were promoting natural yarns, reaffirming the idea of sustainable textiles.' 





This is the leading trade fair showcasing yarns for the knitting industry, with a careful eye on technological innovations and services for the textile industry. The Spazio Ricerca is the “laboratory” where future trends are tested and previewed. Pitti Filati is held in Florence twice a year.

08 February 2012

New Design Britain Awards

Surface Designers visit the INTERIORS UK show 
& NEW DESIGN BRITAIN Awards



















Second Year Surface Design students visited the INTERIORS UK 2012 show at the NEC in Birmingham January 2012 to meet designers and manufactures.

Graduates Wendy Braithwaite (Printed Textiles 2011) and Lucy Alice Porter (Surface Design 2011) were selected to show their work as part of the New Design Britian Showcase.

Lucy was awarded the 'Highly Commended' prize in the Furniture Awards at the New Design Britain Awards 2012. Many Congratulations to Lucy and Wendy!

Also Many Congratulations to James Uren (Bucks Furniture Graduate 2011) who won the Furniture Prize and the People's Choice Award so it was a good day all round for Bucks graduates!

See all the winners at www.interiorsuk.com

'The New Design Britain Awards are one of the most important competitions in the UK for young design talent, giving recognition to students for innovative and ground-breaking work and providing an opportunity for INTERIORS UK to encourage new young stars and look to the future of the furniture industry.

INTERIORS UK 2012 showcased work from the four finalists from each of the four categories, with the winners announced at the show. Winners each won a placement at a leading industry supplier.'

29 January 2012

NADFAS Sponsored Lecture Day at Bucks New University



Emma Kennedy, Creative Editor of Knitting Magazine, and Dan Heath, Wallpaper and Materials Designer, kindly agreed to be our two guest speakers at the 2012 Nadfas Sponsored Design Lecture afternoon held at Bucks New University on Wednesday 18th of January.

Both guests spoke about their personal design training, how they approached working with creative designers and agencies, and answered questions from BA and MA students regarding how best to contact publishers and develop links within industry.

The afternoon was hugely inspiring and over 90 students attended. This is the sixth year that the course has been sponsored by Nadfas, with 18 guest speakers having been part of this wonderful event. The Textiles Team would like to thank all members for their continued support of our Students, the Course and the University.