Designs for homeware and an approach to sustainable gift-wrapping by Leeds Arts University BA (Hons) Textile Design students are to go into production for major brands, Asda and Hallmark, following their responses to ‘live briefs’ set by the two companies.
Image: Jess Dryden's design for Hallmark
Hallmark asked level 5 students to rethink their approach to gift-wrapping in terms of sustainability. Jess Dryden won the brief with Izzy McFarlane awarded runner-up. Sneak previews of their pattern designs are pictured with the full concept under wraps(!) until it hits the shelves next summer. Both students will also join Hallmark, at their Bradford head office, for a work placement when current Covid restrictions allow.
Image: Izzy McFarlane's design for Hallmark
Leeds-based Asda invited level 5 students to develop an existing in-store trend and design for their homeware range, Asda Living. Evie Venables won the brief with a design that will be revealed when it is launched commercially as part of their 2021 collection. Runners up were Megan Speight, Mary Hart, Millie Simpson and Fiona Burrell.
Caroline Pratt, Senior Lecturer, BA Textile Design said: “Industry partnerships that enable students to work on live briefs are essential to preparing our students for the commercial sector and life beyond University. All the students who took part derived enormous benefit from these experiences and should be rightly proud of their achievements. We are immensely grateful to Asda and Hallmark for providing these valuable opportunities."