Last Thursday, the textile pupils in Lower V and Lower VI went to the New Designers exhibition in London. It was in the Business Design Centre, and lots of different Universities had their own pupils’ work on display to look at, photograph, and even interact with.

Highlights were trying the virtual reality headset, where you could draw on a screen with controls, or viewing the intricately detailed sketchbooks from different universities to see how work was presented. Some of us did a workshop with textile teachers from Swansea University, where we made hangings with paper cuttings.

Overall it was a really insightful experience, where we learned loads about university courses, up and coming designers and got to view some amazing pieces which will inspire our work next year! Siena and Alice Lower V

The New Designers Textiles trip was an inspiring exhibition showcasing the work of talented graduate designers across the UK. As an aspiring designer, this experience allowed me to gain an insight into what working and studying in the design industry is like. It also has given me many new and innovative ideas for my own work. 

I was able to view and admire ways in which students across the UK had developed beautiful textile samples and worked with fabrics and materials in various ways to produce incredible outcomes alongside fully-fledged garments that showcased the skills they had learned during their course. Overall the trip was amazing, inspiring, and insightful. Anushka, Lower VI

I really enjoyed the trip, it was really inspiring to see all the places textiles can take you after school and all the different career doors it can open. The university work was very impressive and the trip allowed me to learn new and innovative techniques to develop in my own work. The students presenting were forthcoming and spoke confidently about the design process and their experiences at university. The trip opened my eyes to where design can take me after my A levels here at The Abbey. Overall it was a really enriching day and I’m thankful to the textiles department for taking us all. Elizabeth, Lower VI