STOP PRESS! Published on design*sponge!

My Leeds City Guide has just been published on influential design blog design*sponge (eek! squeal of excitement!), featuring some of the city's most famous places and spaces...

The UK's 'Most Delicious Cupcake' found and indulged at The Sunshine Bakery

Writing a guide to your city might just be the best way of reminding yourself of all that is good about it - the galleries, the indie shops, the open spaces... and of course for reminding you where to find all things delicious.

Stunning architecture, quirky shops and yum food at the Corn Exchange

But also some hidden gems and best-kept secrets

Get your Yorkshire yarns at funky little knit shop Baa Ram Ewe

Emerging artists' exhibitions, art and craft workshops, unique handmade gifts and a sweet cafe at the Bowery

Researching it was a fantastic excuse to indulge in afternoon tea and cakes, check out some of our hottest new artists and shop for gorgeous things.

'Buy me' antiques at Retro Boutique

It tells you about the kind of places I would take you if you came to stay.

Ethical delights at Love Organic

Check out the full Leeds City Guide over on design*sponge and start planning your trip to this lovely part of the world. 

Sparkly chandeliers, girly beauty products and a 1930s boudoir at Rose & Co Apothecary

Would love to see you here some day...

Check out the guide here



Hot new talent: Graphic Design

I’m not much of a techie but I love seeing what talented people can do with a Mac, and the Graphic Design graduates of Leeds College of Art are no exception. Their final year show included some stunning work, and I wanted to share some of my favourites with you


Introducing...Jonathan Chapman aka Mr Yen
24 year old Designer who uses paper to illustrate and communicate, currently freelancing, creating paper cut stationery and paper cut products that are stocked in a variety of galleries and shops around the UK with talks of having some of his work stocked in Australia.  Jonathan's work is exquisite - amazing to think it is all hand-cut.

- Most important thing I learnt at art school: To experiment with a range of ideas and concepts before settling on a final one as it is usually the experimentation process that reveals interesting details you would not have found out unless you had experimented!

- Most important thing you learnt outside class: To be as organized as possible. I am still working on this, but organization really does help to create a balance of work and play and planning time effectively gives me more time to do what I love

(images courtesy of Jonathan Chapman)

Did I mention I seriously love this guy's work?  You can find his creations here, follow his blog here, or check out his Etsy shop here  You can also see more of his work on his Flickr pages here

(images courtesy of Jonathan Chapman)

Introducing...Claire Nicholson
23 year old Illustrator/Graphic designer, currently launching herself into freelance illustration

(image courtesy of Claire Nicholson)

The most important thing I learnt at art college: Making your work appropriate to the brief you've been set, and adjusting your style to suit it. Another thing I've learnt is to draw/note down your ideas as soon as you have them, even if it's on a receipt or a napkin because it's easy to forget them... particularly if you're blessed with a sieve-like memory like me ;-)

(image courtesy of Claire Nicholson)

The most important thing I learnt outside of class: Definitely to speak to as many other designers as you can. Making friends and contacts is one of the best things about it I think. And check out as many blogs as you can, not just the ones directly related to your field, but other arty/designery stuff because it can spark other ideas. One of my tutor's fave expressions is "You can't design in a vacuum" and I think he has a point there

(image courtesy of Claire Nicholson)

 Find Claire on Flickr, Society 6 and Behance or check out her website

(image courtesy of Claire Nicholson)

Introducing... Angus MacPherson

25 year old Graphic Designer mainly working with typography and print, about to move to the big smoke (London) to find work at a design agency

Most important thing I learnt at art school: To believe in what you do

Most important thing I learnt outside class: Look after yourself. Eat well and don't go out drinking every night!

(detail)

Check out Angus's website here

If you liked this, see here for the pick of the Printed Textiles and Surface Design work, also from the Leeds College of Art final show.

Hot new talent: Printed Textiles & Surface Design

I love this time of year, when you can wander around the end-of-year shows at art schools, wowed by the talent and lapping up all that fantastic inspiration for free.


Although I am normally a fine art and interiors kind of gal, I found myself drawn to the and Graphic Design and Printed Textiles and Surface Design sections of the recent show at the Leeds College of Art, here in my city. Here are some of the lovely things (and people) I found in the textiles gallery… (see here for separate post on the pick of the graphic design studio)


Introducing... Anisha Chauhan
21 year old Surface Pattern Designer and Illustrator, who is currently exhibiting at New Designers in at the Business Design Centre in London and is working on a portfolio of Indian Wedding invitations

(image: courtesy of Anisha Chauhan)

Most important thing I learnt at art school: how to combine skills in drawing, mixed media, painting and textiles.

(image: courtesy of Anisha Chauhan)

Most important thing I learnt outside class: How much inspiration there is in visiting major art galleries like the Tate Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and The V&A.

(image: courtesy of Anisha Chauhan)

You can find Anisha on Facebook

(image: courtesy of Anisha Chauhan)

Introducing... Hayley Johns
23 year old Textile Designer, currently expanding her experience through internships and work placement, and toying with the idea of postgraduate study to broaden her portfolio further. Her work is also on show at the New Designers show at the Business Design Centre in London, and her latest collection Kasuri was developed from detailed illustration of New York’s urban landscape, and influenced by Ikat and Japanese design.

- Most important thing I learnt at art school:- Organisation is key! Losing track really sets you back, just be level headed and use the network of student designers around you.

(image courtesy of Hayley Johns)

- Most important thing you learnt outside class - Be inspired, use your experiences and go and see everything you can from trade shows to minor exhibitions. Expanding your knowledge of your subject helps you to enjoy what you’re doing and find purpose for your design work.

You can contact Hayley by email Hayley dot L dot Johns at gmail dot com

 

Introducing... Hazel Snaith

22 year old designer, fresh out of art school, planning to release a collection of designs every three months, and continue freelance designing alongside teaching

The most important thing I learnt at art college: Try keep a diary of all ideas and to constantly reflect on your work, as this helps to generate new ideas

The most important thing I learnt outside of class: How to make my own choices

Hazel can be contacted at hazel dot snaith at hotmail dot co dot uk.

For more hot young talent check out this post featuring the latest in graduate Graphic Design