FOR the fourth year running the textile degree programme at Loughborough University has partnered with flooring designer and manufacturer Milliken for a competition to design carpet tile concepts. The winners have their designs made into carpet tiles and displayed in Milliken’s Clerkenwell showroom.
Students from Loughborough’s print, weave, multimedia media textiles and integrated digital practice courses were set two briefs by Milliken’s design team. The first was to select three areas from a college in Wigan (where Milliken’s head office and factory are based), ranging from the conference rooms and lecture theatre, through to the café and breakout study areas.
The second brief was based on The University of London and required the students to design carpet tile collections for the multiple spaces in the student halls of residence.
The students were asked to design a collection of three carpet tiles, using Milliken’s proprietary Millitron patterning technology to meet the particular needs of each setting. In both cases the students were asked to consider the health and wellbeing of the students and staff, the location of the building and history of the city as well as zoning within the spaces and how design can help create a sense of community.
Chosen as the first place winner for 2022 was Georgina Bunn, with Charlotte Devereux in second place and Mia Brodrick third overall. The project, developed in tandem with the University, forms an important part of the students’ final degree.
Milliken’s senior creative designer, Helen Lloyd, who worked closely with staff and students at Loughborough, throughout the project, had this to say: ‘We were very impressed with Georgina’s storytelling and presentation skills. Georgina fulfilled the brief to a very high standard across the whole design scheme. A strong commercial design awareness resulted in a cohesive collection of carpet designs which all worked well together, and could easily be specified for a commercial project.’
Milliken’s design & visualisations manager, Kerry Cottam, summarises it thus: ‘The approach and output of the students was exceptionally strong this year. It’s the first time in two years we’ve been able to deliver the whole process in person. It made a huge difference to us and the students to meet face-to-face, see the work in real-life and give guidance and feedback in a studio environment. The work seems to reflect the positivity of coming out of lockdown: uplifting and full of colour and fun.’
The exhibition of the winning designs ran at Milliken’s Clerkenwell Showroom (5 Berry Street, London EC1V 0AA) between 20 September-14 October 2022.
www.millikencarpet.com
CFJ/CFA Awards
8 September 2023
Venue TBC
www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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Harrogate, UK
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Brick Lane, London
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