Design Crafts 2024 by DMU Creative

Design Crafts 2024

Welcome to Design Crafts BA (Hons)

Graduates of 2024

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 2024 BA Design Crafts graduation exhibition. This showcase presents an impressive array of works from our graduates, who have shown extraordinary dedication throughout their studies.

Throughout the course, our graduates have explored a broad spectrum of materials, including glass, clay, fine metals, and fibre. Their hands-on experiences in our state-of-the-art studios and workshops have allowed them to master both traditional techniques and contemporary innovations as they endeavoured to push the boundaries of their creativity.

Some of the work you will see blends digital printing technologies with time-honoured analogue processes, showcasing the importance of both ancient tacit knowledge and digital practice. Some of our display also shows design processes and work-in-progress, highlighting the value that thinking-through-making has for Design Crafts.

We deeply appreciate the support from friends and family, which has been invaluable to our students’ success. Our sincere thank you also goes to the dedicated technical staff, Artists in Residence, and tutors, whose expertise has been instrumental in nurturing our students.

As you explore, we invite you to celebrate their achievements and recognise the potential they hold for future contributions to the creative industries. Thank you, and congratulations to the BA Design Crafts class of 2024 on their outstanding exhibition.

Edmond Byrne MA (RCA), BDes, PGC, HDip.ADEd, FHEA Program Leader, BA Design Crafts

content :

aria chloe chloe conor ella emily kyle sophie 4-15 DUDHIA 16-23 HICKS 24-29 LAW 30-39 HALL 40-47 KEARSLEY 48-57 SCOTT 58-65 JAMES 66-83 BARTROP 3

aria

Careful curation and attention to detail are at the heart of my practise, ensuring every piece is made intentionally and purposefully

I work intuitively across a range of medium, from ceramic slip to embroidery thread, and this material led approach, rooted in sustainability, minimises waste and allows for well-developed final outcomes

‘Future Fossils’ encompasses the idea of intentional making, highlighting the lengthy timeline of the decomposition of ceramics and other materials that litter the planet. Have you considered what future generations may interpret about you from the objects that will remain?

This collection encourages the viewer and other makers alike, to partake in intentional making, pushing them to be sure they feel confident and satisfied in what they are ‘leaving behind’.

DUDHIA

Email: ariadudhia@hotmail.co.uk

Instagram: ariadudhia.design

chloe

As a designer-maker, I am constantly inspired by the art around me, particularly by the art created by nature; whether that be the natural growths and formations of patterns, or the organic shapes, colours and textures which often serve as a well-spring of ideas

With my love for nature, it concerns me how much climate change has negatively impacted our environment. My work represents the impact of human actions on our ecosystems, particularly nature’s aquatic life

For example, coral is a vital part in the health and biodiversity of marine life, the effects of climate change are bleaching coral, causing a decline in coral reefs.

I take interest in how much I can abstract an object and still push the boundaries of its functionality. My use of crater glaze and natural and aquatic-coloured oxides and carbonates suggest textures and colours of decaying coral and rocks.

HICKS

Email: chloehicks309@gmail.com

Instagram: chloe.hicks.designs

chloe

I am a designer maker; I often work with fine metals and textiles. I combine materials and processes together to test how they respond to each other, to then create pieces from the experiment

My collection consists of copper contrasted with silver; other finer pieces will purely be silver considering its size. This project is dedicated to the relationship between my partner and I. With his Pakistani and my Chinese heritage, I designed jewellery where it shows the validity of our differences working in harmony. One of the key processes involves saw piercing which required a lot of patience, one of the many things my partner has taught me.

LAW

Email: Chloelaw2001@yahoo.co.uk

Instagram: neko_kollections

conor

I am a designer-maker specialising in fine metals, utilising the techniques of scoring, folding, and soldering sheet metal to assemble emotive animal forms

My inspiration is drawn from British wildlife and the playful interactions that can be observed amongst species in their natural habitats. I depict the creatures’ mid-movement, imbuing my sculptures with character and charm to capture their inquisitive natures

‘Curious Creatures’ is a collection of foxes and magpies suspended to appear untethered and wild, brought to life through highly technical construction. The loose application of patination and scratching of the metal surface contrasts my precise and controlled approach to making, bringing a sense of vibrant energy to the animals that is indicative of their freedom within nature.

HALL

Email: conor.hall.creative@outlook.com

Instagram: conor.hall.creates

ella

As a designer maker and illustrator, I enjoy experimenting with new techniques and materials. My work consists of contemporary hand-built ceramics. I am consistently influenced within my practice by nature and its colour palette. This is because nature is fluid and can be made to be interpreted in any way. For this project I focused on fruit and vegetables as a subject of nature, this is because of the vibrant colours that exude from them and their irregular shapes. Investigating these forms helped me to develop a series of repeated patterns, taking inspiration from their colours

Handmade pieces are at the core of my values, pieces that have passion and thought put into them, as it creates a deeper connection with the audience. I aspire to replicate this in my practice by creating pieces that beam with personality. I work in a very intuitive way, whether that be the way a piece leans or the name that I give them. I wanted to create something that was fun to make, to see each piece come alive. I enjoy work that speaks, that has character and a sense of the maker. In this project, I wanted my love of material and making to shine through, to reflect who I am as a maker and a glimpse of my personality.

KEARSLEY

Email: ella.kearsley@outlook.com

Instagram: ellakearsley.designs

emily

I am a contemporary ceramic artist currently finishing my third year of Design Crafts at De Montfort University. I produce thrown vessels, as I enjoy the refined and symmetrical forms I can achieve with this technique, as well as the tactile nature of throwing clay. I then create plaster moulds from these forms and use them to slipcast my pieces before adding ridges of decoration that flow around the vessels

My inspiration for the pieces in this collection stems from my interest in natural forms, fluidity, and quality of line, as well as adding movement, life and dynamism to otherwise static vessels.

As I made each piece in this collection, I enjoyed seeing the basic forms slowly morph and extend, gradually adding depth and movement as the lines wind around the vessels and lights.

SCOTT

Email: emilymayscottdesigns@gmail.com

Instagram: emilymayscott.ceramics

kyle

As an artist with a background in prop making and special effects, I harness a diverse array of tools and techniques to achieve multifaceted outcomes across various disciplines. My work focuses on the seamless integration and development of individual elements to create unique, bespoke pieces. Inspired by the Chinese zodiac, I set about exploring Eastern history, culture, and mythology as the basis for my project

Through my exploration of 3D printing technology, I sought to merge contemporary innovation with the traditional craft settings of textiles and porcelain ceramics, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved within the realm of modern artistry. The techniques used allow for a range of tailored outcomes, accommodating for variations in size, colour, and tactility.

JAMES

Email: CaminusCrafts@Gmail.com

Instagram: caminuscrafts

Website: caminuscrafts.carrd.co

sophie

I create elegant and sophisticated jewellery, drawing inspiration from the free-flowing, organic shapes found in nature. My work integrates mixed media, incorporating vibrant elements like glass, resin, and enamel to infuse each piece with colour and life. Through this blend of materials, I aim to evoke feelings of happiness, calm, and tranquillity, offering wearers a sense of connection to the natural world

Sustainability is a cornerstone of my artistic practice. This series, in particular, was inspired by found glass shards and scraps from my university’s hot glass workshop. These discarded pieces, often overlooked, possess a unique beauty that I strive to highlight

Using fine silversmithing techniques, I’ve transformed these fragments into colourful, one-of-a-kind adornments. Each piece not only embodies a commitment to environmental responsibility but also celebrates the potential for renewal and transformation.

By breathing new life into these materials, I create jewellery that is both visually striking and ethically conscious. My work invites viewers and wearers alike to appreciate the elegance of repurposed elements and the harmony that can be achieved through sustainable artistic practices. Through this collection, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty that can emerge from mindful creativity and thoughtful resourcefulness.