Graduates from Scottish Universities were among the winners of prestigious New Designers 2012 awards.

New Designers 2012 celebrates the very best graduate designers from the class of 2012, with some 3,500 exhibitors from 200 of the UK’s design courses taking part.

New Designers 2012 was a two-part event, with Part 1 taking place from 27 to 30 June 2012, and Part 2 from 04 to 07 July 2012. The celebrated New Designers Awards, supported by leading brands and organisations from across the creative industries, aim to herald the arrival of especially talented designers and anticipate the start of successful careers.

On 27 June the New Designers Awards Part 1 were presented by jeweller Theo Fennell, and on 04 July the New Designers Awards Part 2 were presented by designer Jay Osgerby of the BarberOsgerby practice, which designed the Olympic torch.

Joseph Hartley, Manchester Metropolitan University, BA Hons 3D Design won the The BDC New Designer Of The Year Part 1 Award for his project 'The Makery.' Craig Foster, Nottingham Trent University, BA Hons (First) Furniture & Product Design was The BDC New Designer Of The Year Part 2 Winner for 'Kurk', a self assembly table lamp. (Both pictured above)

The New Designers 2012 award winners from Scottish Universities included:

The New Designers Sanderson Award Winner: Joanna Srokol, Edinburgh College of Art, Master of Fine Art – Textiles for Hand painted abstract panels interpreting the Polish landscape. The Judges said: “Superb example of observed colour applied to textile design. We found these fabrics poetic and emotive.” Joanna said: “I feel so lucky to have been offered 2 placements: one with Sanderson and the other with Harlequin. All my hard work has paid off, and it’s nice to be recognised.”

The New Designers Goldsmiths’ Company Award For Jewellery Winner: Mairi Johnstone, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (University of Dundee), BA Hons (First) Jewellery and Metalwork for ‘Come to your senses.’ The Judges said “A considered collection of work that blends craftsmanship and playfulness.” Mairi said: “Winning the award has boosted my confidence to set up on my own. Life is generally very serious, so I like to have fun and enjoy myself and make life lighter.” 

The New Designers Virgin Atlantic Award For Product Design Winner: Nikki Ferguson, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (University of Dundee), BSc Hons 2:1 Product Design for her project 'The Heirloom.' Judges said: “Heirloom manages to blend both the physical and the digital, the old and the new, curating precious memories and articulating them through a beautifully executed piece of work.” Nikki said: “With my project I wanted to see if today’s society could make an emotional connection to objects, so this has given me a confidence that such great people as Virgin Atlantic like what I do.” 

New Designers Part 2 also saw companies offer associate prizes. The Scottish University Graduate winners of the associate prizes included:

The New Designers Designersblock Associate Prize Winner: Andrew Knott, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (University of Dundee), BSc (Hons) First, Product Design for his project FABER – a communication kit that expresses the evolution and various stages of a craft project so that the client enjoys the record of its development. Judges said that: “FABER explores the relationship between craft process and contemporary digital technology history.” Andrew said: “I am over the moon to have won it and am looking forward to sharing the DesignersBlock workshop facilities in London with other interesting designers, as well as presenting in Milan and London.”

The New Designers Clothworkers’company Associate Prize Winner: Chrysanthia Katsilouli, Glasgow School of Art, BA Hons Textiles for ‘Spatial Awareness’ - Digital print on silks. Judges said that: “Original design and inspirational theme. There is lots of possibility for commercialism. This work stood out for being bold and beautiful.” Chrysanthia said: “Winning here, where design is so well recognised and established, amongst so many amazing designers is remarkable.”

The New Designers Worshipful Company Of Weavers Associate Prize Winner: Stephanie Ruddie, Heriot Watt University, BA Hons (First) Design for Textiles – fashion, interiors and art for her project ‘Jacob’s ladder.’ Judges said that: “It is a beautiful collection of woven fabrics showing real craftsmanship and creativity. Her portfolio displays and eclectic use of yarn and structures which create a unique and commercial range of fabrics.” Stephanie said: “This really boosts my confidence and gives recognition from the industry.”

Find details of all award winners and exhibitors at www.newdesigners.com