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Success for Decorative Arts students at 2018 Society of Dyers and Colourists International Design Competition

Final year student Yasemin Yasar won the national final, whilst fellow student Esmee Watts was named runner-up of the regional heat

    Regional winner Yasemin Yasar
    Regional winner Yasemin Yasar in the Decorative Arts studios

    Two students in their final year of our BA (Hons) Decorative Arts course have been recognised for their talents in the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) International Design Competition 2018. Final year student Yasemin Yasar was named winner of the UK final which took place in York this April, following winning the regional heat in February. Her "highly commercial" designs caught the eye of the judges, drawing inspiration from visits to the Peak District. She will go on to compete in the Grand Final this November.

    The annual SDC International Design Competition represents a great opportunity for students to respond to a technical creative brief, and to gain recognition for their imaginative use of colour. The theme for 2018 was ‘Colour Communication’, which challenged entrants to explore and demonstrate the creative and original use of colour in fashion or textiles, specifically drawing on the extensive colour range available from the Color Atlas by Archroma®.

    Yasemin's colour concept mounted on a mood baord
    Yasemin's development work

    The aim of the competition was to produce a colour palette which could be seen throughout entrants’ development work and final submissions. Our students were required to produce four A2 boards presenting their colour palette taken from the Color Atlas, along with a written statement exploring their theme and a sample garment showing the realisation of their palette.

    When asked how it felt to be named UK winner, Yasemin said: “It felt extremely humbling and very exciting! The whole day for the national finals up in York was definitely a day to remember. The society held some fantastic events during the day and a wonderful dinner and awards ceremony in the evening; it made it feel really special."

    She continued: "Winning the national finals was unexpected as the standard of work was exceptionally high, but it was an amazing achievement and am pleased I am through to the final stage of the competition! I am really excited for the international finals."

    Runner-up Esmee Watts
    Runner-up Esmee Watts in the Decorative Arts studios

    Esmee also found the experience to be really beneficial. She explained: “Taking part in the SDC’s competition really made me push myself to think about colour in a different way. It was an amazing opportunity which I feel very pleased and grateful to have been a part of.”

    She added: “Being named runner up in the regional heat was actually quite a surprise, as the standard of work was just so high. I now feel more confident to continue with my colour palette in the final few months of my degree.”

    Kathy Dickinson, senior lecturer on our Decorative Arts and Textile Design courses, told us: “This global competition is a great opportunity for students to express their colour interest in an exciting and original way through a textile application. It promotes the importance and relevance of colour in design and in addition, the Society brings together students with a range of professionals from the industry which is so essential.”

    She continued: “We are delighted that Yasemin has won the national final. Her individual approach to both research and design development are strongly evident and colour is at the heart of her work. The judge’s commented on her lovely initial inspiration with a very evident commercial eye. We wish her luck in the Grand Final.”

    Published on 11 May 2018
    • Category: NTU Arts; School of Art & Design