Dezeen School Shows: a dress made from algae and wool that can be reheated and reshaped into another garment is among the projects featured by New Designers.
Also featured are ceramics informed by Sunderland ware and the history of the craft, and gut-friendly, non-alcoholic kombucha drinks.
New Designers
School: New Designers
School statement:
“New Designers is an annual exhibition that brings together the best graduate design talent from across the UK. Our event is aimed at professionals in the design industry, as well as general consumers who are interested in seeing the latest trends in design.
“New Designers also welcomes hundreds of school students each year, inspiring the next generation of designers. Over two weeks, we showcase the work of over 2,500 talented graduates in a range of disciplines, including fashion, game design, graphics, product design and more.”
Keayn Ellan by Hannah Stansfield
“My work is led by personal heritage, heritage techniques and hand processes. This project was inspired by the Isle of Man, its mythology, my family’s connection to it and the memories of visiting as a child.
“Specifically, their God of the sea Mannanan – how his protection and moods have influenced the island’s unique cultural identity and self-reliance.
“I used natural fibres and dye within my project, stuff that, other than the indigo due to a disastrous attempt at dyeing using woad, are all sourced from within the UK, and have been used within the British Isles to create textiles for centuries.
“Being aware of the impact that we leave as textile designers is an important part of my practice. I believe it is by realigning ourselves with historic practices that we will be able to lessen our environmental impact while still continuing to create the cloth that we love.”
Student: Hannah Stansfield
School: Cardiff Metropolitan University
Course: BA (Hons) Textile Design
Offline by Emma Cadman
“Offline is a campaign to encourage young people to take a break from social media to help their mental and physical wellbeing.
“The campaign is based in Skipton – a small town in the Yorkshire Dales – and involves marketing, a publication with information and prompts about mental and physical health, and an app that includes walks/trails around the area.
“The app includes an offline mode that helps the user take a break from their phone, a gallery page where the user can upload the photos from their walks/time off social media, and a profile page where the user can track their time offline.
“Behind the whole project, I have looked at alternate methods of creating this campaign so that it’s more sustainable.”
Student: Emma Cadman
School: Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA)
Course: BA (Hons) Graphics & Illustration
Regular Irregularity (brooch, silver, gold plating, cotton and a steel pin) by Yosef Salihmurad
“My collection, Regular Irregularity, explores the tension between imposed stereotypes and the personal journey of navigating, adapting and reclaiming space within those constraints.
“As an artist of Iranian heritage, I have often felt the impact of Western media’s portrayal of my culture, which can create a sense of alienation and hesitation in unfamiliar spaces.
“This experience informs my work, driving me to create pieces that invite curiosity and connection. I want my designs to captivate viewers, draw them in and encourage meaningful engagement.
“My jewellery is deeply inspired by the cultural and symbolic role of the Persian carpet – a space for rest, nourishment and storytelling.
“Through my work, I aim to translate this sense of communal gathering into tangible forms. I hope those who wear my pieces carry with them a quiet invitation for dialogue, however brief, sparking moments of connection.”
Student: Yosef Salihmurad
School: Glasgow School of Art
Course: BA (Hons) Silversmithing and Jewellery
Geometry in Perspective by Cameron Pearson
“Inspired by Euclidean and Ideal geometry, these forged sculptures transform planar designs into three-dimensional forms through precise rotations.
“Each piece merges mathematical purity with a raw, forged aesthetic, revealing the intrinsic beauty of geometry. This work celebrates the intersection of art and science, highlighting the enduring elegance of geometric principles.
“Geometry in Perspective aims to articulate these foundational principles to compose their planula (two-dimensional) constructions.
“During their construction, following the postulates of Euclid to dictate the processes of point, line and plane and demonstrates how the shapes that span from them can relate and interact with one another.
“Utilising precise rotations, these two-dimensional compositions are translated through space, shifting a once flat design into three-dimensional form.
“This pure, mathematical process is concluded with a forged aesthetic that adheres to the raw simplicity of their axiomatic constructions.”
Student: Cameron Pearson
School: Hereford College of Arts
Course: BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing
Pulse by Hayden Powell
“Pulse is a wearable recovery system designed to make musculoskeletal rehabilitation more accessible and effective for everyday users.
“Inspired by the technology and discipline used in professional sports, it simplifies the recovery process through a combination of smart sensors, a digital HUB and a tailored brace specific to the injury.
“The system guides users through physiotherapist-assigned exercises, monitors progress in real time and offers daily feedback to improve outcomes and encourage consistency. It is designed for people with busy lifestyles, like the self-employed.
“Pulse blends intuitive interaction with discreet design, aiming to close the gap between clinical recovery and life at home.”
Student: Hayden Powell
School: Northumbria University
Course: BA (Hons) Design for Industry
Grimms Fairytales by Ciara Williams
“This work was born from my fascination with the dark origins of Grimm’s fairy tales and a desire to explore new ways of storytelling through the blend of traditional craft and digital innovation.
“Each piece represents a key character, allowing their stories to unfold visually. This project is part of my exploration of how illustration can bridge physical and digital worlds.”
Student: Ciara Williams
School: Arts University Bournemouth
Course: BA (Hons) Illustration
Untitled by Megan Ginn
“This project is inspired by my Irish heritage, drawing on traditional Aran knitwear as a key starting point and then introducing my research into biomaterials.
“Throughout my studies, I’ve developed an algae-based biomaterial that I used to bond the wool to the fabric, creating a distinctive look.
“This material can be reheated and reshaped, allowing each garment to transform and form part of the design process – offering a unique, ever-evolving aesthetic with every wearer.”
Student: Megan Ginn
School: Birmingham City University
Course: BA Fashion Design
Fizu by Lexi Henderson
“Fizu is a non-alcoholic sake kombucha designed for curious drinkers looking for something unique. It is inspired by centuries of Japanese fermentation and blends natural ingredients and modern techniques to create a bold and gut-friendly drink that is packaged in a distinctive and contemporary design.
“My project aims to challenge misconceptions about sake, celebrating its versatility while nodding to its cultural roots. I chose to use recyclable aluminium cans, as they offer a more sustainable alternative to other packaging options.
“I also opted for risograph printing for the labels and packaging, a process that is considered more eco-friendly than alternative methods.”
Student: Lexi Henderson
School: Nottingham Trent University
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Marionette from the collection Recoil by Eleanor Harper Colman
“Introducing a new youthful spirit to the Ercol brand, this collapsible stool stores on a wall peg. No tools are required – elasticated bungs form the structure and jointing.
“The stool is available in ash, beech or light oak.”
Student: Eleanor Harper Colman
School: Kingston University
Course: BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design
My People Make Things by Lil Sanderson
“I’m a ceramic artist who holds a great love and interest for the revival of heritage craft. The inspiration comes from my hometown of Sunderland and its little-known crafting history, more specifically its potteries that once produced Sunderland ware.
“My work references historical ceramic pieces and their characteristics. With a twist of my own style via my 3D modelling sculpture work and experimental glaze application, I bring the historic pieces into the ‘now’.
“My mission is to bring attention to lesser-known branches of heritage craft and to explore the stories and knowledge that can be learnt from it, and through enough awareness, bring it back.
“Through the creation of these pieces I explore my family’s crafting roots and how craft was once very much ingrained in the culture of Sunderland.
“Through My People Make Things, I’ve explored the classical past of Sunderland ware, the culture of the city and how Sunderland ware could potentially be modernised for current audiences.”
Student: Lil Sanderson
School: Manchester School of Art
Course: BA Product Design and Craft
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and New Designers. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
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