Where did you study and what was the course title?
University of Bolton, BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Design
Name of your lecturer/course tutor?
Donna Claypool, Tom Sutton, Faye Power, Leanne Lewis, Rachel Dawson
How did you feel about winning the Colour in Design Award – what does it mean to you?
Winning the Colour In Design Award made me feel so excited to get my work out there and recognised. Colour has always been something I have experimented and had a passion for with the way it can instantly make a design look different and appeal to different target markets.
How important is colour in your work and how do you choose and narrow down colours?
Colour in my work is so important, being able to have a balance and not being afraid to push boundaries and have brighter colourways. I narrow down colours by looking at trends but also through proportions of colour found in my primary research.
What is your main source of inspiration?
My main source of inspiration for my current project was my hometown of Stockport. I liked the mid-century and historical architecture as well as the surrounding botanical elements. Nature really does play a large part of my inspiration from growing up and holidaying around Cumbria spending a lot of time outdoors.
What makes you happiest/most fulfilled in your creative process?
When I can see my vision come together with a lot of digital planning and designing, that then goes through to experimentation with embroidery, screen print, foiling etc, I feel more fulfilled watching all the sampling turn into final collection pieces.
Creative high point?
My creative high point was building a collection that was so out of my comfort zone as I had never experimented with an architectural drawing style before, and watching it come to life, commercializing elements of it to fit the interiors market.
Creative low point?
My creative low point was when I was struggling to create different colourways that would appeal to all different types of markets and deciding on which proportions of colour suited the final collection best. I underestimated how many times designs had to be changed and how long it took to pick the best elements of colour. But overall, I am very pleased it.
Where do you want to be in 3 years’ time?
In 3 years’ time I would like to be working as a studio designer or within colourist role with the potential for freelance opportunities.
Please tell us about a special person during your studies/life who has really made a difference to you on your creative journey.
It is so hard to pinpoint one person when there has been so many amazing people throughout this journey, such as my parents who have helped with several primary research visits throughout and the constant reassurance that my work is good enough at times when I believed it wasn’t.
Additionally, a special mention for Kay Thorpe. She was my GCSE textiles teacher who really started the whole journey off for me. She believed in me from year 7 and gave me the passion and drive for textiles alongside introducing me to the wonders of fashion and interiors. I honestly can’t thank her enough for helping me find my career.
What is your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is purple, but more on the periwinkle side with the blue undertones.
Image credits: Lucy Millward
Instagram: @lucymillwardtextiles
Online Portfolio: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/85f27c16a8.html