Opportunity to put learning into reality
FASHION and Textiles students have been working on a new industry project with two big firms who have let them design and present ideas for a show home on a housing development near Burton.
The students, who studying for their level three at Burton and South Derbyshire College, met with bosses at Edward Thomas Interiors and St Modwen Homes to shape a scheme for the three or four-bed homes at the nearby Branston Leas development.
The group was asked to take direction from both Edward Thomas Interiors and St. Modwen Homes, and to focus their themes on sustainability.
Creative mood boards were created for each room to showcase their chosen colour palettes, fabrics for upholstery, floor coverings, accessories and furniture choices.
Students then pitched their ideas to the companies who gave them feedback to develop their ideas further.
Level three student Tinashe Banza says she has found the project an interesting insight into interior design.
She said: “The course has given me the space to grow, learn, research other designers and think outside the box.
“This project was something completely different, so it has been interesting learning about interior design and finding out how to approach it. “I chose to design a three-bedroom home and tried to bring my personal style into it.
“I am going on to study a degree at London College of Fashion and in the future, I would like to go into fashion styling or creative directing.”
Judges watched over the project, looking to make sure the designs followed the brief, with a clear direction and purpose, as well as having striking features, a professional outlook and exceptional presentation skills.
Andy Richardson, managing director at Edward Thomas Interiors, said: “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with St. Modwen Homes and Burton and South Derbyshire College to provide opportunities for aspiring interior designers.
“We’ve been impressed by the students’ professionalism and the quality of work they have produced. It’s good to see fresh, young talent coming through who will be the future of the industry.”
Emma Strange, director of creative industries at Burton and South Derbyshire College said: “This has been a valuable experience for learners to be involved in, enabling them to understand a real life creative-brief scenario and the role of an interior designer.
“It has helped them make decisions about their future career path at such a critical time in their college course, and has helped them to develop their professional skills at interview.”
This project was something completely different, so it has been interesting learning about interior design and finding out how to approach it.