Design work produced by BCU student Zoha Javed on show in the “aspirational apartment” at Fespa 2018
Epson has given two awards to BA Textile Design students at Birmingham City University. Charlotte Greenwood secured the Epson Award for a Final Year Student and first year student Zoha Javed has been named the Birmingham City University Winner in this year’s Epson Challenge.
Heather Kendle, market development manager at Epson Europe, said, ‘When assessing the final year degree show for Epson, we are looking at how students are incorporating print into their thinking, but also want to see a breadth of thinking and original interpretation. Charlotte’s work incorporates elements of origami and is very precise in its execution, which complements the quality of Epson print. Her laser cutting, pleating and alignment of print with these techniques created some unusual pieces and demonstrated a good eye for detail.’
Ms Greenwood commented, ‘It feels amazing to be recognised for my individual surface pattern and creativity. It is great to know that a prestigious company like Epson have considered my designs worthy of an award.’
Visitors to Fespa 2018 may have seen some of the design work produced by BCU student Zoha Javed on show in the “aspirational apartment” including kitchen units, splashbacks, plates and cutlery in the kitchen area (picture attached). The annual Epson project was initially introduced as an extra-curricular competition but was so successful that it has been incorporated into the university’s first year module.
Kelly-Marie Sifleet, senior technical demonstrator, said, ‘We use Epson SureColor SC-F dye sublimation and DTG printers in the textiles department and students are encouraged to use digital print effectively. The Epson project enables them to learn a great deal about colour and register and to discover how easy the equipment is to use and how it opens up creative opportunities.’
‘What I enjoyed most with this project was that it gave me a chance to play around with colours, introduce my own colours to complement the palette given by Epson and also to work with all different types of fabric and different printing processes,’ stated Zoha Javed. ‘I’m glad I got a chance to have fun and work in the printing studios. To be selected as the winner was something I really did not expect at all; it was shocking in a good way and it has boosted my confidence in myself and in the work that I produce.’
