New Designers (and illustrators)

We came, we saw, we conquered. Rachel got sore feet.

Grillust's first foray into the world of 'New Designers' is done (previously we were regulars at D&AD's New Blood event but as none of us have tattoo-sleeves or ride penny farthings, we were beginning to feel out of place).

Here's a D&AD representative on hearing the sad news that we were heading elsewhere. Ouch!

New Designers takes place in this grand space (The Design and business Centre, Islington). As well as graphic design and illustration there are graduates from areas such as product and furniture design. It makes for a really interesting visit and the event is a magnet for a variety of industries. It's also a great place to see concept designs for cars that will never be built in a month of Sundays.

Here's the GRaphic Design and ILLUSTrstion space and the group of dorks / graduates who's work adorns it. As you can see, we had a massive bit of real-estate to call our own.

New Designers attracts a huge amount of industry interest. Students manning the stand were never shy of people to talk to. Business cards flew thick and fast and many promising contacts were made.

So that's our London, graduate showcase done and dusted for another year. We all had a hectic / enjoyable time.

Interesting Grillust in London facts 2016:

• Students were served drinks by Phil Jupitas. Turns out he's as much of an arse in real life as he seems on telly.
• They also bumped into Jennifer Saunders, who we assume was out drowning her sorrows after the reception that her absolutely terrible, Absolutely Fabulous, film has received.
• Students saw a woman get her head stuck in the doors of a pneumatically powered wardrobe.
• Boris bikes don't go up hill very well.
• To make a burger into a Brazilian burger you stick a paper brazil flag into the bread.

It's London Graduate Showcase Time (again)

Regular readers of the Blog will know that it's rapidly approaching that time of year when we head to London (a large city somewhere South of Leeds) to exhibit our graduating student's work to industry professionals. Have a look here to see a previous foray to 'the smoke'.



Up until now we have exhibited at D&AD's 'New Blood' exhibition which for the last few years has been housed in the Spitalfields Market in London's East-end. This year however they've moved even further East to a car park in the Truman Brewery (next year we're expecting it to be held in Southend) and this, coupled with many organisational 'issues' emanating from D&AD has resulted in us changing our affiliation to the long-standing New Designers event held at the Business Design Centre in central London. 

Here we can enjoy the benefits of a bigger stand, air-conditioning and frighteningly efficient organisation. 

 The Business Design Centre yesterday

 New Designers 2015 (just look at all that space)!

The show opens on Wednesday 6 July and it runs through to Saturday 9 July.

Opening times as follows:

Wed 3.00–6.30 (VIP & Press Preview)
Thursday 10.00–8.00
Friday 10.00–6.00
Saturday 10.00–5.00

You can find details of how to visit here.

We're on stand VC34 and look forward to meeting friends old and new.

Finally, here's a sneaky peek of an artist's (well Rhiannon's) impression of what our stand will look like (N.B. she's been hitting the Haribo rather heavily of late).

It's Nice ThatMaddy's beenselected byIt's Nice That

Recent Grillust graduate, Maddy Mould (an illustrator's name if ever we heard one) was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Penguin Design Awards - that's a pic of her at the event with free wine. Maddy's cover design for 'Emil and the Detectives' (below) was one of ten selected for that title.
The competition was based on three titles this year with ten pieces of work shortlisted for each. Maddy wasn't the final winner but done incredibly well to be shortlisted and as previously mentioned, there was free wine, so it's swings and roundabouts.

Maddy focuses on pattern and print based approaches in her colourful illustration.
Here's her piece of the 2015 Cheltenham Illustration Awards (also shortlisted).



We've just heard from Maddy that she's been selected (again!) by 'It's Nice That' to be part of their annual 'The Graduates' list. Essentially a list of those to watch out for among 2016 graduates.



Keep you eyes on this link to find out more as and when it's posted.

Well done Maddy, on the fine selection of selections.

Maddy will next be seen at that-there London's New Designers Graduate event, where she'll probably be selected for something or other.