One hundred new names will make their design industry debut at New Designers One Year In, a leading UK exhibition of emerging creative talent.
One Year In (formerly One Year On) is a curated showcase from some of the most promising designers, studios and entrepreneurs who have recently launched their own businesses. Visitors can browse and buy original pieces directly from their makers, and commission bespoke works while supporting small design companies.
One Year In is curated by jewellery designer, photographer and co-owner of London store Luna & Curious, Rheanna Lingham, and will take place throughout the two weeks of the exhibition (27–30th June and 4–7th July, at Islington's Business Design Centre).
Having received a record number of applications, One Year In 2018 welcomes its biggest line-up to date, with many exhibitors returning to New Designers after exhibiting as graduates. The breakthrough design talents on show include product and graphic design companies, jewellery artists, illustrators, fashion designers and digital creators, who have each been selected for their original thinking, high-quality work and business viability.
Curator Rheanna Lingham not only selects the exhibitors, but also provides mentorship and tailored business guidance to each designer. More than just an opportunity for design start-ups to launch their business on a bigger platform, One Year In provides a fast-track course in every aspect of successful independent business development and branding.
"There is no other show in the UK that provides such a good platform for start-up businesses," she says. "The most obvious benefit is the exposure to influential trade contacts – including buyers, collectors, press and industry professionals. However, what is often overlooked is the mentoring provided in the months that lead up to the show.
"Exhibitors receive advice on marketing, brand and product development, pricing, selling and display, as well as the fundamentals of starting a small business. The more tangible benefit is the firm friendships that are born each year between the designers – relationships that continue for years beyond the show."
One Year In gives visitors a face-to-face introduction to the materials, processes, products and people building the design world of tomorrow. This year's exhibitors include: Manchester textile artist Kate Whitehead, whose work protests against today’s throwaway fashion by returning to traditional methods of making and repair; Kuniko Maeda, who transforms discarded single sheets of paper into digitally-designed, hand-finished lampshades in a zero-waste process; and King and Webbon, a bespoke furniture maker preparing to launch a retail-focused freestanding furniture range, which will present a flat-pack, hand-finished CNC-milled stool.
Previous exhibitors include Forest + Found, Winter and Kurth, Charles Dedman and Vicky Cowin.
For a limited time, interested parties can secure a day ticket for just £10 plus booking fee, saving 20% when they enter offer code FURNITURENEWS at checkout on the New Designers website.
