Since it launched in 1985, New Designers has been a launchpad for some of the biggest names in design. This year, to mark the landmark anniversary, we can exclusively reveal that some of those names (all of whom began their career journeys after university by exhibiting at the fair) will return as a star-studded line-up of alumni for the event that runs across two weeks, from 2-5 July and 9-12 July at London’s Business Design Centre.
‘I had the great privilege of winning a New Designers award when I exhibited almost 20 years ago and the even greater privilege of opening the show more recently. Showing as a graduate at New Designers really kickstarted my career,’ says Benjamin Hubert, founder of design studio LAYER and one of the eight success stories (also including textile star Margo Selby, wood artist Darren Appiagyei, co-founder of Deadgood Elliot Brook, jewellery designer Hannah Martin, ceramicists Ikuko Iwamoto and Peter Ting, and Jo Barnard, industrial designer and founder of Morrama) involved.
‘These days my team visits New Designers to look out for potential talent to join our studio,’ adds Hubert, enticingly for those new creatives who will be preparing their work for this year’s showcase.
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The list of alumni fittingly spans the many disciplines that New Designers covers. As ever, the event will be split into two weeks. The first (2-5 July) focuses on fashion, craft, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery and metalwork, while week two (9-12 July) covers furniture, product design, industrial and spatial design, graphic design, illustration and animation and game design.
‘New Designers was so exciting when you’re a graduate, because all of a sudden you’re meeting all these industry professionals, and you’ve got people interested in your work,’ says Margo Selby, who sold her first ever design (to Missoni no less) while exhibiting at New Designers. It’s a success story that is sure to inspire.
Fresh-out-of-university designers will be given the chance to meet industry experts, as well as the the opportunity to gain one-on-one feedback on their portfolios and real-world career advice from the extensive ND Educates programme of talks and workshops. A lucky few will join the likes of Benjamin Hubert in winning one of 30 ND Awards.
This is not simply an event for graduates though. As Sally Bent, event director of New Designers explains, ‘it plays a vital role in the design community – not just in showcasing graduate work, but in creating opportunities for connection between new talent and industry professionals. Many collaborations, careers and partnerships have been born here.’
An enduring highlight of New Designers is ND selects. Once called ‘One Year On’, this shines a spotlight on businesses founded within the past three years. Visitors can discover and purchase unique, one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the makers. We already have our eye on the likes of 4AM Studio, whose playful ceramics will be a hit, and Tom Moy Studio’s sculptural wooden homeware and furniture, handcrafted in Somerset.
As Deadgood’s Elliot Brook adds: ‘One of the first times we ever presented Deadgood to an audience was at ‘One Year On’ [now known as ‘ND Selects’] and it really acted as a springboard into the industry, giving us contacts, momentum and the motivation to pursue our ambitions. Creativity, collaboration and purpose was instilled in us as a company at New Designers and we have taken that through into the business to this day, helping other young creatives in their careers along the way. For me, New Designers stands for nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers.’
For a design event that is so much about looking towards the stars of the future, this year‘s anniversary offers a rare opportunity to also reflect.
‘We’re thrilled to welcome back some of our most celebrated alumni – each of whom has built an incredible career in their own right – to the Business Design Centre, where their journeys began. This year is particularly meaningful, and we’re so excited to have them return to mark this important milestone with us,’ says Bent. ‘We’re confident that this year’s graduating cohort will continue the legacy, just as those before them have. Our show is more than just an exhibition – it’s a launchpad for future careers. Here’s to the next 40 years!’ newdesigners.com
