UWTSD students secure top prizes in prestigious international design competition
21.07.2020
Three Surface Pattern Design students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) have scooped top prizes in the prestigious i-dott awards.
Third year student Emma Vaughan won both first and second prize in the Hewlett-Packard sponsored Reuse, Reduce and Recycle category, taking away a total of £800 in prize money. Fellow third year student Naila Amjad won third prize in the same category (£200), and first year student Oliwia Mielczarek won the £500 first prize in the New Zeitgeist category, sponsored by Anstey Wallpaper Company.
Nailia and Oliwia have also been awarded a week’s training in specialist AVA CAD (computer aided design) software.
“This is the industry standard software – we have it embedded in our course but for them to have a week’s private one to one training with a specialist is amazing,” says lecturer Claire Savage-Onstwedder.
She adds that she is impressed with the talent and drive exhibited by all the students.
“The fact that they are being awarded prizes at such a young age goes to show the drive and passion our student have,” she says.
The i-dott awards aim to encourage, develop and reward design students, helping them to become inspirational leaders in the world of surface pattern design. The UWTSD students’ achievements – pitted against top universities from the UK and around the world – reflect the university’s success in preparing them for the world of work.
“We embed the latest digital technologies within the course, not forgetting those important making and drawing skills which our industry calls for,” says Claire. “This combination of attributes that are taught from entry, play an important part of the future skills they will need for their professional careers. UWTSD was voted number one in the UK for fashion and Textiles 2020 by the Guardian League Tables 2020, and this confirms our calibre of student.”
Claire is also delighted to see Oliwia, who previously completed her foundation course at the university, winning first prize, outstripping third years and master’s students.
“It’s a remarkable achievement, and it reflects the quality of the work she has done not only in her first year of the degree course, but also before that, on the foundation course,” she says.
凯特Coode, the first-year tutor on the Surface Pattern Design programme, agrees that it is a very impressive result.
“有一个一年级的学生首先是阿玛斯ing, and to do so during lockdown is a testament to the hard work and drive that Oliwia Mielczarek shows towards her studies,” she says. “Alongside Oliwia, a number of first year students were also shortlisted in the ‘New Zeitgeist’ category, with many well considered outcomes. We celebrate their creativity and innovation and recognise the strength and resilience that they have shown in difficult times.”
Besides giving the students an opportunity to win a prize, entering the competition was an educational process in itself, says Naila Amjad.
“I learned so much during this competition,” she says. “I started with drawings of discarded items that were then scanned and enhanced digitally. I feel amazed when I look at my designs - actual beautiful patterns from waste!”
Emma Vaughan agrees that entering the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle category was an enriching experience.
“One thing I have learnt for the course is that nothing is impossible and you should always give it ago,” she says. “Stretching my creativity has allowed me to create a portfolio which shows great versatility. For my entry I began by freely playing with waste material, creating a range of 3d samples. From here I was able to take these samples and place them into a repeat pattern. This way of working allowed me to create a range of innovative wallpaper designs.
“Having the reward of placing 1stand 2ndin a national competition is just so overwhelming and something I will never forget - and it wouldn’t have been possible without the belief from the lecturers.”
进一步的信息
Rebecca Davies
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