Cass student wins upholstery design competition
24th March 2009
Judith Dennis, an upholstery student at The Cass (The Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design)
was the winner of a competition to find a unique upholstery design for
furniture manufacturer Bevan Funnell. Her winning design was used on a
new chair range launched by the company at the annual Decorex
exhibition.
While Judith is studying traditional upholstery, her winning design
is anything but traditional. Judith said, 'The design takes inspiration
from nature and the way mosses and lichen co-exist with their host
embellishing them with texture and intense colour.' Her concept fuses a
modern design with traditional craftsmanship. The winning design was
chosen by the company as it complements the contemporary design of
Bevan Funnell's new Henley collection.
Dave Simmonds, Managing Director of Bevan Funnell said, 'I am
constantly amazed by the high standard and inspiration emanating from
today's young designers and I'm very pleased that Judith's design will
be displayed alongside our exciting new range.'
Michael Upton, Academic Leader at the department said: 'This was a
great competition which really put all of the students who took part
through their paces, by giving them work on a live brief for a well
known manufacturer with realistic timescales. Judith’s winning work
will have been seen by 10,000 people at Decorex.'
Judith has a unique insight into upholstery having worked under the
name ‘lets fly to mars’ as a freelance designer in film and television,
as well as now working for high profile clients including Deutsche Bank
and Radio 4. She has also worked with several fashion photographers and
has published work in leading contemporary fashion magazines.