New Designers returns to Islington’s Business Design Centre this summer (June 29th-July 2nd and July 6th-July 9th 2022) and brings together 3,000 creative graduates under one roof, celebrating the next generation of graduate designers and emerging brands.

With the aim to foster learning, creative exchange and collaboration, New Designers has helped launched the careers of some of the UK’s most prolific designers including Jay Osgerby and Bethan Gray.  Here’s a round-up of highlights of who and what not to miss this year! All details of workshops, talks and exhibitions can be found here.

Opening Accolades – Who’s tipped for design success?

Strange by Nature by Guy Howe Conners

New Designers is delighted to welcome two prominent design experts to present accolades to the most creative and forward-thinking exhibitors.  The first awards ceremony will kick off week 1 on June 29th. Tristram Hunt, British historian, broadcast journalist and former politician, and now Director of the V&A, will host the second awards ceremony in week 2 on July 6th.  Winners of over 30 awards, sponsored by leading design brands such as The Conran Shop and LEGO, will be announced online and on social media – keep a look out to see who is tipped for design success.

Care to Repair?

Anglepoise hosts what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion on sustainability, exploring whether graduate designers of the future should really be focussing on ‘new’ design.  Simon Terry from Anglepoise is joined by to Jeanine Goddard, Creative Director of Bisley and Mark Miodownik, a materials scientist and engineer.  Together, they will consider the importance of repairability in design and debates our impact upon the world, the industry’s level of commitment to sustainable design, and ultimately asking why some manufacturers still avoid this commitment to lifetime guarantee.

Spot and Shop a Design Classic

Garnet Earrings by Kristina Ploom Jewellery

Don’t miss One Year In and the chance to buy a future design classic; New Designers launched the careers of some of this country’s most prolific designers! This curated space features some of the most innovative and pioneering design entrepreneurs.  Highlights include Porter & Trundle’s handcrafted furniture pieces which present the perfect fusion of colour form and craftsmanship as well as emerging goldsmith, Kristiina Ploom whose fine jewellery is characterised by minimal aesthetics and bold sculptural shapes. 

Creative Alchemy!

Vlamp by Aamana Nawaz

A wander around the graduate exhibitions offers an explosion of creativity – with disruptive thinking, ambitious ideas, and fresh approaches, you just can’t help but be inspired by the talent. From interiors fabrics offering heat-sensitive colour changing designs to concept augmented-reality headsets designed to limit medical phobias; 3D animation techniques which push technology boundaries; elegant table lamps precision engineered from brass water pipes; contemporary sculptural, embroidered couture pieces; portable side-tables fashioned from old parts of a Brompton bicycle and a new vision of lacing methods for the ubiquitous pair of trainers.  This is the future of design, so enjoy the exploration!

Craft your Wellbeing

Iris Lounge Chair by Huw Evans

Creativity is proven to enhance our health and wellbeing – something we could all learn to appreciate more. New Designers has invited two crafters to share their experiences and discuss how craft has enhanced their lives and those around them.  Furniture designer, Sandy Buchanan and designer Izzy Parker talk to Caroline Jackman from the Crafts Council about mindfulness, emotional connections, and meaningful work in this revealing and candid discussion. One not to miss.

Designers Address Modern-day Issues

Loop by Dominic Lewis

This year’s show sees a range of thought-provoking themes emerging from the graduate’s work, where creatives address and reflect on current topics such as living in a post-pandemic world, mental health awareness, identity, and sustainability.  Embarking upon personal journeys of discovery and reflection, New Designers present wireless earbuds designed to tackle the unaddressed problem of Bluetooth earbud E-waste; a jewellery collection inspired by Chinese heritage and rituals, designed to alleviate anxiety; the presence of homophobia and the stigma associated with the AIDS epidemic drives the aesthetics of a ceramics and textile collection; and fanciful playful furniture fabricated and manufactured all within a few miles of the student’s university.

Gallery of Alumni

Nadia Boutarfa by Barbara Chandler

Spot one or two young faces of now-established designers in a new photographic exhibition by Barbara Chandler. New Designers: A Celebration is a powerful visual edit of the vibrancy and longevity of New Designers featuring a collection of 37 young designer portraits and their creative project in light of the show’s 37^th anniversary. The archive has been captured on film over the last 15 years by design writer and journalist, Barbara Chandler who has long been an advocate of supporting and mentoring graduates. Don’t miss this unique archive of design faces!

Diversity in Design

Nanna Ulrich Gudum, Head of Design & Innovation Excellence, LEGO

Placing the spotlight on diversity, disability, and entrepreneurship, Victoria Jenkins, Founder of Unhidden, an adaptive and sustainable fashion brand explores diversity and inclusion in fashion. She’s in great company as she chats to Alice Cracknell, the director of eco-fashion enterprise Origin; disability activist and fashion model Abi James Miller; and Chamiah Dewey who founded the UK’s first clothing brand for people with Dwarfism/short stature under her own her eponymous fashion label.