Exciting new designs!!

When some people think of textiles they think of knitting and the elderly and how unfashionable of a hobby it is. But when I walked into Plymouth College of Arts Printed Textile Design & Surface Pattern Degree show that was the last thing you would think of.

An explosion of colour and energy hit me from throughout the room full of fresh and exuberant designs. These degree students are the next designers of our generation and most probably will be our next trend forecasters.

A variety of styles cover the room from cycle wear to bedlinen and interior decorations. As someone who is drawn to colour I particularly loved the vibrant works of Winona Flay. Luminous yellows brighten the deep navy blue of the sofa with painterly marks circling the delicate red centre. Something that I can imagine myself lounging on enjoying a chilled mojito watching the sunset over a Cornish beach. It certainly brings joy and light into our lives especially in those dark winter months. Small but essential, a lime hue borders the sofa creating a sensation of exhilaration and somewhat connecting oneself with nature. It lightens the shaded background of the sofa and just looking at the sofa makes you smile instantly.

To compliment the interior decoration abstract marks cover large scale carpeted designs hung delicately on the white wall. With a primary based colour scheme the works somewhat reflects the style of Matisse with his 1953, 'The Snail' as the aesthetics being similar with a variety of shapes and lively colours. The marks made seem to reflect nature and the patterns and line seen within foliage. However the zoomed in versions align with the abstracted theme of the piece especially as they are placed inside a variety of shapes.

Heidi Wyetts collection is a diverse range of luxury wallpaper and soft furnishing fabric that explores hidden detail, inspired by oriental tales. The wallpapers use digital printing and handcrafted techniques. The painterly style is persistent throughout her work. Use of collage, combines the printed word with painterly but realistic flowers and a more abstract style of flora and fauna. Mature colours are consistent throughout with a rich navy blue background that gives a sense of depth and fantasy. Her work is so intricate and heavily detailed you could sit looking at it for hours and still find new hidden secrets within that you'd never seen before. There are so many layers of colour, texture and subject creating something that has so much substance that its as if you are taken to another exciting world.

One thing I certainly took from this exhibition is that no matter what your context or inspiration may be there is always a way to include it within your work, whether it be  through marks, colour, texture or many other methods, there will always be a way. Furthermore, not all great designs are perfect pretty drawings but some are the most abstract and exciting pieces of the industry.