The New Design Britain Awards, organised by UBM Live Built Environment, launched yesterday with a new set of initiatives to add to its already-established awards programme.
New Design Britain is a respected initiative bringing talecnted young graduates to the forefront of the international design industry. Its new focus is on growing the programme to include mentoring, online resources as a source of information for business advice, a fully-fledged progression initiative and campaigns raising awareness and support for issues in the design education community. There is a dedicated hub within the May Design Series website where entrants can find out more about the devoted programmes as they are added.
With over 10 years of heritage, the 2015 New Design Britain awards will feature two new categories, Interior Design and Architecture. These additions sit alongside Furniture, Accessories, Fabrics and Surfaces, covering a total of six categories spanning all design disciplines. A panel of expert judges will select a shortlist of 24 designers to be showcased at the entrance to May Design Series.
Live judging will take place at the show next May, and winners will be offered a work placement with key industry players, and vital industry advice, amongst other benefits. Winners of the product categories will also receive a free stand to exhibit their product at May Design Series 2016 as part of the Designer Makers area, and winners from the Interior design and Architecture categories will be invited to assist with designing the show.
2015 sees a new judging line-up. The bill includes some of the best-known names in the interiors world through a cross-section of disciplines, all suitable candidates to help entrants gain exposure, impart advice and careers guidance throughout the awards process. The judges are:
Pia Benham, head of fabric and design at Heal's; Barbara Chandler, design writer and photographer; Emma Mawston, head of design, Liberty Art Fabrics & Interiors; Kate Mitchell, London showroom manager, Timorous Beasties; Rob Scarlett, NDB alumni class of 2003, furniture designer; Dan Ziglam, CEO, DeadGood; Paul Tanner, furniture buyer, M&S; Suzanne Imre, editor, Living etc; Naomi Cleaver, interior designer; Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID; Giles Miller, director, Giles Miller; Anna Rigby, head of buying & home accessories, John Lewis; Shaun Clarkson, interior designer and star of Channel 4's Four Rooms; Ella Doran, interior and product designer; Ged Couser, director, BDP Architects; Katy Ghahremani, partner, Make Architects; Julie Humphryes, founder, Archer Humphryes Architects; Phil Coffey, director, Coffey Architects; Staffan Tollgard, creative director, Staffan Tollgard Design Group; Dan Hopwood, president, BIID; Sara Cosgrove, principal, Sara Cosgrove Design; and Katharine Pooley, director, Katharine Pooley Interior Design.
Barbara Chandler comments: “The awards offer emerging designers a fantastic chance to display their talent through the May Design Series. For me it’s such an exciting opportunity to showcase exciting new British interior design talent.”
Allie Little, New Design Britain's programme curator, says: “With the industry crying out for fresh new designs and innovative products, now really is the time for design gradates to shine. New Design Britain provides the perfect platform for graduates to transition into the interiors industry and meet the industry professionals. UBM’s resources and industry knowledge, combined with the invaluable experience of our esteemed judges, ensures that we have a great opportunity to really nurture this community of talented young designers. I for one am really excited to unearth the next generation of design talent.”
Suzie Ager, brand director, May Design Series, adds: “The May Design Series is an event that celebrates all aspects of the interiors, furniture and design industries, and we wanted the New Design Britain Awards to reflect this. Having two new categories means we are able to serve creative talent from all design disciplines. It’s an honour to host the awards at May Design Series, giving it the necessary exposure to visitors and exhibitors so that the graduates can make the jump from education to industry.”
