wallunica has been a huge supporter of the confessions of a design geek bursary since day one, even jumping in to save the day at very short notice last year(!), so I was delighted when Ingo Claus agreed to take part again this year, offering bespoke wall coverings for both the winner’s stand and the shortlist stand. I spoke to him about why he is so keen to be involved again this year… (I’m blushing at the first part!)
“We know Katie and have worked with her for some years. She is one of the best British design writers and a very successful talent spotter in the industry, so we are very proud to be part of this wonderful contest.
“wallunica offers bespoke wall design to professionals in interior design, architecture and exhibition design, so there are various reasons why we support the confessions of a design geek bursary. First of all, we love British design. Secondly, we believe that young talents need support in the early steps of their career and like the idea behind the bursary. And thirdly, we are looking for new design talents to work with on new wall design ideas, so we are curious to see new and exciting designs from the participants.
“The bursary is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young designers to show their ideas to the right people. There will definitely be decision makers from the global design industry among the 16,000 visitors at Home London and 6.25 million window shoppers at Southbank Centre Shop, who will see and value the designs of the bursary winner.
“The stand decorated with wallunica wall designs at Home London 2014 combined with the photo shoot from Veshen Venema is the perfect basis to produce some really nice promotion, sales and PR materials. The mentoring from 2013 bursary winner Jessica Hogarth will provide valuable advice from a young professional who has just successfully started her own business in the industry.
“The best advice I was ever given was to stay focused on my key ideas. Every day you will face a dozen opportunities to be distracted from that. Prepare a strategy and a plan with milestones in order to keep track on your road to success.
“To Fanny Shorter, 2014’s winner, and to all the shortlisted designers, I would say, ‘Believe in your creativity and believe in yourself. Look around and be inspired by the world surrounding you. Get your inspiration from global trends, don’t copy and think out of the box. And don’t forget about the commercial aspects while developing an idea! Trust in yourself and develop your own design style. Be unsatisfied with an average design and strive for excellence to be unique.'”
Don’t forget to come and see all the shortlisted designers at Home London at Earl’s Court, London, 12th – 14th Jan 2014.
With thanks to confessions of a design geek bursary partners: Home London, the Southbank Centre Shop, wallunica, Yeshen Venema, R&A Collaborations, Seen PR, Mini Moderns, HAM, Decorum, October Communications, The Design Trust and Jessica Hogarth.
