Triple success for DJCAD graduands at New Designers Awards 2021

Nick Fitzpatrick, Finlay Grant and Ying (Vicky) Huang, who exhibited their work in the University’s Art, Design and Architecture Graduate Showcase 2021, have each been named winners of a prestigious New Design Award.  

New Designers presents the work of 3,000 hand-picked graduate design talents, exploring every corner of design from around the UK.  

It celebrates design in all disciplines, from fashion and textiles, jewellery and precious metalwork, glass and ceramics, contemporary design crafts to furniture design, product and industrial design, spatial design, and digital design. 

Product Design student Nick has won the Lakeland Home Design Award, while Finlay from Jewellery & Metal Design has been awarded the Goldsmiths’ Company Award and Textile Design student Vicky has won the Printed Textile Design Award. 

Nick’s project ‘Inclusivitea’ consists of a trio of inclusively designed kitchen products to assist the elderly and people with a range of disabilities while also being aesthetically appealing to those who do not require its functional benefit.  

“I am delighted to have won an award,” said Nick. “It has given me a massive confidence boost as I start to take the next step in my career. 

“To have my name attached to a brand as prestigious as Lakeland is a huge honour for me and I look forward to collaborating with the Lakeland design team in future.” 

Finlay created bold, resin jewellery for his project ‘Splash’. The pieces, a collection of vibrant brooches and neckpieces, are inspired by the form, pattern and distortion found within swimming pools. 

“I'm honoured I was selected for the award,” said Finlay. “I have been thinking about going to new designers since first year. 

“I’m very excited to be a part of it and to further my skills through the Goldsmiths company.” 

Vicky’s project ‘Wandering down the garden path – joy of print’ celebrates her experience of walking in nature, inspired by British botanical gardens and wild paths. Her colourful prints, made with traditional printing methods, incorporate tree trunk and flower patterns, appreciating the beauty of native flora and the subtle and slower movements of everyday life. 

“I am interested in traditional printing methods because for me, it is a very tactile experience – I can feel their texture, weight, and appreciate their quality,” said Vicky. “I believe that to make the future a better place, it is important to reconnect to the past and to understand previous traditions. 

“Winning has given me more confidence to step out my comfort zone and seek more traditional craft opportunities. I will be continuing my traditional craft journey and I am excited to start the Textiles MA course at Royal College of Art in September.” 

The New Designers event is normally held in London over two weeks but was held online for the second year running due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. They plan to return for a physical showcase in 2022.