One to Watch - Amelia Hewitt

Where did you study and what was the course title?

Studied at: Birmingham City University BA (Hons) 

Course Title: Product and Furniture Design 

Name of your lecturer – course tutor?

Emma Jones, Jason Nicholson, Wayne Pottinger & Andrew Trujillo

How did you feel about winning the attention of the judges – what does it mean to you?

Being selected by the judges, alongside such inspiring creatives has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’m truly grateful for the chance to share my work and excited to see where this recognition can take me next. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity and it all feels a bit surreal!

About the project

My piece Aluminate was developed by exploring how colour and interaction can evoke positive emotions desired by the user.

The use of modular coloured epoxy blocks and aluminium allowed me to experiment with colour, form and reflection, offering viewers a dynamic interplay between materiality and light to provide a calming piece. The piece engages the user through a variety of senses including physical touch through modularity and visual stimulation by the way colours shift, transform and interact with their surroundings as they move the blocks into their desired arrangements, transforming the space around them.

How important is colour in your work and why?

Colour is extremely important in my work. I’ve always found joy and calmness in being surrounded by colour and I want to share that feeling through my designs. Colour has the power to influence mood and create emotional connections, which is why it plays such a central role in my work. In my project Aluminate, I used colour deliberately to evoke specific emotions and create a calming, engaging experience for the user

What is your main source of inspiration?

I’ve always been inspired by nature. There are so many shapes and forms that are both organic and geometric that appear in the natural world. 

Nature particularly influenced my project Aluminate, through the patterns and shadows that can manipulate colourful hues of light. I also draw inspiration from my personal experiences, whether that’s moments of grief, challenges with wellbeing, or simple ideas for improving everyday life. These experiences, such as dealing with loss, often shape the emotional intent behind my work

What makes you happiest/most fulfilled in your creative process?

I feel most fulfilled when I’m physically making, whether that’s experimenting with messy cardboard models or crafting a final piece. I love getting my hands dirty, iterating and seeing an idea take shape into something both functional and visually satisfying. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see my designs recognised and enjoyed by others. Knowing that my work can have a positive impact, even in small ways, brings me a lot of joy.

Creative high point?

A creative high point for me is when my work makes a difference to others, whether that’s making someone’s life easier through a product or having a positive effect on people’s emotional well-being. This is what motivated many of my projects including Aluminate. I wanted it to be more than just a functional product, with the primary focus to help evoke emotions the user most needs in the moment, through the thoughtful use of colour.

As well as this, it’s always an incredible feeling when you feel as if your hard work is being recognised. Being chosen as a “one to watch” has definitely been a high point of my early career. 

Creative low point?

My creative low point has been moments where self-doubt creeps in and I’ve questioned “am I good enough?”. I've found these feelings were more prominent coming to the end of university whilst looking for employment and participating in events such as New Designers, surrounded by talented individuals, it’s hard not to compare yourself.

I’ve also found it challenging at times to balance the more technical/functional demands of design with the creative freedom that excites me most. Im very passionate about my designs and when I land on something I find beautiful it’s sometimes frustrating to ensure it also has a functional purpose which is a crucial aspect in most product design.

However, these moments have taught me resilience, patience with myself and pushed me to grow as well as highlight the incredible support systems I have in both my personal and professional life. Moments like this make it all worth it.

Where do you want to be in 3 years’ time?

In three years time, I’d love to be dedicating more of my time to designing and making ceramics that are both beautiful and functional. I imagine myself surrounded by like-minded creatives, collaborating and being inspired by one another while working towards a shared goal of making people’s spaces and their everyday lives more enjoyable through thoughtful design

What is your favourite colour?

My favourite colour is blue specifically lighter shades. I find it incredibly calming and I love how versatile it is as it pairs harmoniously with a wide range of colours, from soft neutrals to bright, energetic tones like orange and yellow. Blue also feels deeply rooted in nature such as a clear sky, the bodies of water and the icy cozy feeling of winter. For me, it carries both tranquillity and energy, depending on how it’s used, fitting into every season, space and emotional state.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameliahewittdesign