Martina Hodkova, Fleur Mannifique, Nottingham Trent University
In this the year of the tenth anniversary of Free Range, ARTS THREAD visited the Truman Brewery to catch up with some of the excellent new graduates’ work on display. In a week mainly dedicated to Interior Design and Architecture, we caught up with three Product designers work from Nottingham Trent University in the additional 2D and 3D Product Design category.
Martina had plenty to smile about after having achieved a first class honours degree from Nottingham Trent University. Martina’s clever design Fleur Mannifique incorporates modern technology as well as traditional craftsmanship. She came up with the idea as an answer to every female’s nightmare of trying to choose the right outfit! Martina says that the idea allows the user to not only display the garments but also ‘create an outfit library and interact socially through an in-built webcam’.
Martina Hodkova, Green Paws with Pooh!, Nottingham Trent University
Martina also proved her worth as a versatile Product Designer by showing that her time at The Walt Disney Company she spent as an intern in her placement year was not wasted by designing her ‘Green Paws with Pooh!’ vegetable growing package. Disney was also her first choice when it came to using her primary research by writing her dissertation, ‘Disney Success: Fact or Fiction, an analysis of the techniques used in creating successful animated films’.
Nathan Singh, Innovation - Pop top lock, Home Exercise 3-in-1 multi function design, Nottingham Trent University
Nathan Singh was also displaying his award winning Essence Pop top lock Innovative design concept. He recently proved he was a winner by scooping a ‘Starpack Gold Award’ with his answer to prevention of unnecessary spillage from liquid containers in the kitchen environment, by introducing a locking mechanism which requires force to open the containers.
The aesthetics of the overall product were also important. Nathan says ‘ The aesthetics values took inspiration from the female body which is linked to the subconscious mind’. His second piece he was displaying demonstrated how a product can be designed as both a piece of contemporary furniture and a useful exercise bench press.
Catherine Bailey, Mr&Mrs: flat-pack set of bedside lights, 2&Fro Swing Chair, Nottingham Trent University
After spending her placement year in Barcelona with Design Code and with Hiroshi Tsunoda Design Studio, Catherine Bailey put her skills to good use in her final year. She not only got the chance to improve her Spanish but also experience the required skills necessary to succeed in a busy design studio.
Catherine recently picked up the Lighting Association Award for Best Flatwork for her Mr&Mrs bedside lighting duo. We also loved Catherine’s ‘couples’ 2&Fro Swing Chair Design that combines ‘a rigid structure made from laminated oak sides and a hammock inspired rope seat which is created by binding rope around the frame’. Just what you need to relax in after a busy walk around the Truman Brewery!
Free Range
Martina Hodkova: martinahodkova@hotmail.co.uk
Nathan Singh: nathan_singh@hotmail.co.uk
Catherine Bailey: cat.bailey1@btinternet.com
Lighting Association Awards 2009 on Arts Thread Blog
