Once again our partners The Design Trust organised a full day at New Designers 2016, with lots of talks and discussions from creative professionals, creative organisations and businesses to help you start and grow your own business.

For details of the discussions please visit www.newdesigners.com/startupday

The Design Trust Start-Up Day at New Designers 2016

A daily programme of talks and tours ran during both Parts of New Designers. Sessions address current issues and topics pertinent to the design sector, offering invaluable support and insight to anyone in the design industry.

Speakers in Part 1 included Simon Belsham, CEO of notonthehighstreet.com, Annie Warburton, Creative Director of the Crafts Council, Selvedge founder Polly Leonard and Natalie Melton, co-founder of The New Craftsmen in conversation with ceramicist and woodturner Leah Jensen.

New Designers 2016 Part 1 talks


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A daily programme of talks and tours ran during both Parts of New Designers. Sessions address current issues and topics pertinent to the design sector, offering invaluable support and insight to anyone in the design industry.

Speakers in Part 2 include Simon Belsham, CEO of notonthehighstreet.com, John Mathers, Chief Executive , Design Council, Michael Wolff, Michael Wolff & Company and Design Museum curator Margaret Cubbage.

New Designers 2016 Part 2 talks

https://www.newdesigners.com/ceramic-review-in-conversation-with-francis-lloyd-jones/

Ceramic Review In Conversation with Francis Lloyd-Jones

https://www.newdesigners.com/work-in-design-podcast-live-interview/

Work In Design Podcast – Live Interview with Zoe de Pass

https://www.newdesigners.com/contemporary-printed-textiles-practice-and-surface-design/

Contemporary Printed Textiles and Surface Design Practice

https://www.newdesigners.com/design-week-panel-regenerative-design/

Design Week Panel: Regenerative design in practice

https://www.newdesigners.com/how-to-manage-creative-jealousy/

How to Manage Creative Jealousy

This talk hosted by the British Institute of Interior Design will explore how thoughtful interior design can be good for both the planet and the people who occupy it.

Designing Interiors For The Future - British Institute of Interior Design

Have you considered a career in Colour, Material and Finish (CMF)? Would a career that involves innovative material research, future trend forecasting, material storytelling, sourcing and development of materials to shape a better future appeal to you? PriestmanGoode’s CMF team members will describe a career path that you might not have considered – or be aware of.

Colour, Materials, Finish: The Best Career You May Not Have Considered Yet​

Join the design team from Tu clothing who will discuss what it takes to bring fashion and textile design ideas to fruition at Tu. Following the process from inspiration to clothing range on the shop floor, the panel will explain how print and textiles processes play their part in the development of Tu’s clothing ranges, and each speaker will discuss their careers as print and garment designers.

An Introduction: Lifecycle of a garment from idea to in-store

Join the team from renown fashion and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley who will discuss the Laura Ashley story, from its beginnings founded in 1953, to now operating as a global brand under license with a London-based design team. The talk will cover: Managing international brand popularity in Japan, Korea, US; Adapting pattern & design across Home, Fashion & Lifestyle categories; Relaunching Laura Ashley Fashion in 2024; Career journeys and advice.

Laura Ashley: From humble beginnings to becoming a global lifestyle brand​

As Seymourpowell turns 40, join an educational panel discussing the consultancy’s approach to design and innovation. Hear more on how things work behind the scenes as well as tips for a career in design.

Seymourpowell Panel: Approach to Design & Innovation

In this not-to-be-missed panel discussion, three designers share their personal and professional journeys with all the twists, turns and the lessons they learnt along the way, and why giving up wasn’t an option. 

Not all designers or creatives take the conventional path and in this discussion you’ll hear top tips to give you a head start forging your design career, no matter which path you take.

The Road Less Travelled - Unconventional routes into Careers in Design​

Join a panel discussion exploring the design world’s engagement with neurodivergence, and what more could be done to create more inclusive spaces, objects and structures. Chaired by Oli Stratford, Disegno’s editor-in-chief, the talk will bring together industry experts Camille Yin, brand designer and creative director; Belinda King, glass artist and designer. The speakers will share their insights into and experiences with neurodivergence, as well as discussing the importance of designing with neurodivergence in mind.

Disegno Talk: Neurodivergence in design

Design journalist Abbey Bamford is joined by a panel of experts from the design industry as they discuss the impact of Ai on the future of design and design education. The panel will ask; How are design studios using Ai in their practice; How are students using Ai and how do UK schools and universities integrate Ai into curriculums to increase skills and tech innovation whilst considering potential pitfalls; What are the fears around Ai and how can we use Ai to enhance creativity rather than replace it?

How does AI impact the future of Design?

Join Elle Decoration UK’s Alice Finney as she leads a dynamic panel of leading voices in design to explore what’s shaping the future of design.

From emerging aesthetics and materials innovation to shifts in consumer values and sustainable practice, this session offers industry professionals an expert lens on the trends set to define the next wave of design. Discover how designers are responding to global challenges, rethinking craft, and pushing the boundaries of materials, form, function, and storytelling.

Panel Discussion: Future Trends & Forecasts — Designing What's Next

Join us for an inspiring conversation between London-based wood artist, and ND Alumni, Darren Appiagyei and design journalist Natasha Levy, exploring the intersection of craft, sustainability, and material storytelling.

Darren Appiagyei’s practice is defined by his deep respect for wood in its rawest form—celebrating knots, grain, and so-called imperfections as vital elements of beauty. In this talk, he will reflect on his journey from discovering woodturning by accident during his 3D Design studies at UAL, to developing a meditative, self-taught approach to working on the lathe.

Turning Imperfection into Art – Darren Appiagyei in Conversation

Join Clare Wood, Artistic Director of the British Ceramics Biennial, for an inspiring and practical session on building a career in ceramics. Drawing on years of experience supporting emerging talent and curating one of the UK’s most important ceramic platforms, Clare will share insights into the pathways a career in ceramics can take — from studio practice and exhibition-making to residencies, collaboration and education.  

Crafting a Career in Ceramics: Insights from the British Ceramics Biennial

Join curator of the William Morris Gallery and design historian Róisín Inglesby for a special talk exploring the rich legacy of British textile design through the lens of women’s contributions from the 19th century to the present day.

Women in Print: Textiles, Legacy, and the Professionalisation of Women Designers Presented by William Morris Gallery

My Life In Design – Live Podcast Interview with Ceramicist and Designer, Peter Ting

Careers in Embroidery with Royal School of Needlework

Association of Illustrators Mini Business Masterclass​

Careers Talk: One Year On with PriestmanGoode

Kingfisher - Making Sustainability Last: Designing for Durability and Repairability Supported by KeyShot

Designing Your Future: How Intellectual Property Protects and Empowers Creatives

Designing for a Better Future Presented by Creative Conscience

Designing a Future-Ready Workforce: Skills for Planet Presented by the Design Council

Careers in Design Panel - Metallic dreams: Transforming metal into luxury furniture

Design Futures: Navigating What’s Next

Habitat New Designers Alumni

From Graduate to Creative Director: A Career in Design with James Ramsay

Ruth will talk with Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust, on how MADE.COM fosters emerging talent and how new design talent can work with a furniture and home product business like theirs. There will be plenty of time for your questions too.

Interview with Ruth Wassermann, Head of Design at MADE.COM

Dean, an accountant who works exclusively with creative business owners, will talk about the 7 tax mistakes creative startups always make, and how to avoid them.

Dean Shepherd, creative accountant at Tax by Design and Founder of Tax Toolkit

Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust will interview Clare & Grant about how to promote and sell your contemporary crafts. What do you need to do to get that foot in the door? And you can ask your own questions too.

Clare Maddison, Director of Contemporary Applied Arts & Grant Gibson, Editor of Crafts magazine

Intellectual property can be one of the trickiest parts of your creative business but also one of the most profitable! In this 30min session Dids will help you to understand how to protect your creative ideas to maximise growth, and you will discover the top 5 things you should know to create a positive IP strategy.

Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID): Myths and howlers of IP

Patricia van den Akker is the Director of The Design Trust, an online business school for designers and makers, and the organiser and host of this free one-day event. Patricia will start with a big welcome, and will kickstart the day with her inspiring talk on: ‘8 essential steps to start your own creative business.’

Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust: 8 steps to get started

Annie Warburton, Creative Director of the Crafts Council, explores the role of making in science, engineering and technology. She will be joined by Shelley James and John Grayson, two makers currently participating in the Parallel Practices programme at King’s College.

What Can Science Learn from Craft? presented by the Crafts Council

Learn about the creative possibilities of AVA’s specialist software, which enables fashion, textile and surface designers to create innovative and attractive collections in the quickest possible time. Discover how you can use AVA’s cutting-edge creative tools, including quick colour separations, colouring and mapping, to further your own practice.

Creative Tools for Designers, presented by AVA CAD/CAM

CEO Simon Belsham and Creative Product Director Sally Bendelow gives insight  into what makes a great product for notonthehighstreet.com.

Empowering Creativity Through Entrepreneurship, presented by notonthehighstreet.com

Natalie Melton, co-founder of The New Craftsmen in conversation with ceramicist and woodturner Leah Jensen, who was discovered at New Designers 2015. Leah will talk about her unusual process and concepts, which explore the intersection of mathematics and art, whilst Natalie will reveal what attracted The New Craftsmen to Leah work and the future plans in place for her.

New Ceramics: Leah Jensen, presented by the New Craftsmen

Elaine Field, Art Director at Hallmark & Tigerprint, reveals the life of the studio, from in-house libraries and art exhibits, to new product development brainstorms and workshops.

Life in the Hallmark & Tigerprint Studio

3D printing is revolutionising many aspects of our lives - from replica aircraft parts to implants and even customised chocolates. Discover how top designers are pushing the creative possibilities of additive manufacturing technologies, and how future 3D software will make it even easier to bring your designs to life.

Speakers included Arthur Mamou-Mani, Simply Rhino, Duncan Fitzsimons, 7th Design & Invention, Nick Grace, Adams Watt and Rees Calder, My Mini Factory.  Chaired by Louise Jones - The KTN.

3D Printing Part One: Design Freedom, presented by the Knowledge Transfer Network

800,000 people in the UK live with dementia, rising to 1 million+ by 2025 and 2 million by 2051 (Alzheimer’s Society), and thoughtful design can make a real improvement to their daily experiences.

Hear from an inspirational group of design-entrepreneurs to share top tips and inside stories on bringing dementia-friendly products to market. You’ll also learn about the KTN dementia innovation panel, which supports design-led start-ups across the UK with user and carer insights plus technical, financial and commercialisation advice.

Speakers included: Hazel Boyd - DesignAbility, Dave King - Studio LR, Jon Wingrave - Alzheimer’s Society and Michael Wolff - Michael Wolff & Company. Chaired by John Bound - KTN.

Design for Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Inside Story, presented by the Knowledge Transfer Network

Be inspired as Sky Creative takes you through the world of the multi-media agency that supports and promotes Sky on air and through nationwide 360 campaigns. A great opportunity to hear from and talk to some of the industry’s most creative designers.

Sky Creative - an insight into Sky's multi-media creative force

CEO Simon Belsham and Creative Product Director Sally Bendelow give insight into what makes a great product for notonthehighstreet.com.

In conversation with John Mathers, Chief Executive , Design Council. Find out how he came to start DesignStudio, what he’s learned and how he inspires his clients to think differently about design.

DesignStudio’s Ben Wright on Founding his own Agency, presented by the Design Council

How to create a successful business in your 20s’ or 30’s

Working with Trends – A panel discussion

New Designers is the UK's most important exhibition for emerging design.

New Designers showcases the fresh-thinking and innovation of 3,000 brilliant individuals, providing an essential pipeline of new talent into the UK’s creative industries.

New Designers

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