We’re delighted to announce the new committee members for the Sustainability Alumni Network.
- Abigail Morton
- Tamara Henrikson
- Lukas Kroulik
- Zillah Bridget Bosworth-Coleman
- Zahir Thebault
They join the association as plans are taking shape for exciting events and opportunities coming up in 2024.
The Sustainability Alumni Network is a vibrant network of graduates practicing sustainable business, design, and creativity methods.
Abigail Morton
BA Graphic Communication Design, Central Saint Martins (CSM), 2022
As part of the Sustainability Alumni Network, I want to use my time to help build a network and community for current students and graduates, where they can learn, talk, and get inspiration on introducing sustainability within their practice.
During my final year at Central Saint Martins (CSM), I used my final Major Project (FMP) to explore what Regenerative Design means, and how this theory extends beyond sustainable practices. I wanted to learn how regeneration extends across multiple agendas - environmentally, socially, economically, and culturally. These are all areas we must think about long term; what impact our designs will have and making sure it’s positive.
I think the Sustainability Alumni Network, which I discovered from the UAL Climate Emergency Network newsletter, is a great platform to connect individuals working within the regenerative space and is something I would encourage alumni to join. It is an exciting space to document and showcase new creative talents in the sustainability field. I think it is also a great way to generate conversations and spark topics of interest on the future of our planet and how design is a major contribution to repairing its current state.
The ideas and methods of sustainable working are new, and they require a lot of trial and error and resources. One of the best resources in the design space is collaboration and sharing ideas. I think it’s vital to build a strong network across UAL to share these ideas, learn from one another, and progress in making informed sustainable design decisions for the future.
My work was nominated for the Mason/0 Green Trail award, which exposed me to a new hub of creatives working similarly.
The advice I would like to share with fellow alumni interested in responding creatively to the climate emergency is to always include sustainability as part of your marking criteria. Sustainability is not something tutors will mark you on, or maybe question, so I think it is important for us as designers to question our work in relation to sustainability. Critique your work against those 4 agendas: How does my work contribute socially, economically, culturally, and environmentally?
Whilst these might seem simple questions, it is good to be speculative especially when graduating and going forward, working for design firms. Sustainability is becoming (as it should be!) a part of every business, so if we can remind ourselves and ask these questions early on, it becomes natural when it comes to a professional industry.
Sustainable to me is maintaining the status quo, I feel as though regeneration is a better term to try to follow. Regeneration achieves a net positive outcome, whereas Sustainable is net zero.
The focus on sustainability was to maintain what we had, to not restrict future generations. However, we have gone past that point. We need regeneration and to give back more than we took to achieve this.
Recently I worked on a project with Maison/0 x LVMH which involved producing infographics for the current 360 LVMH exhibition in Paris. I produced the poster for their re-wilding project, which explores making a colour palette directly from algae, bacteria, and food waste which produces dyes for fabrics, which are all natural.
- Instagram: @bplusone_
- Website: bplusone
Tamara Henrikson
MA Fashion Futures, London College of Fashion (LCF), 2021
I did learn about the Sustainability Alumni Network back in 2022 when I attended the 'Climate Confessions', a small event that encouraged attendees to share their lived experience of climate change and the daily challenges that we face as we navigate necessary lifestyle changes to support more sustainable living. A fellow attendee shared information about the Sustainability Alumni Network, and I signed up as a committee member shortly after that.
What excites me the most about the network is that UAL has such a diverse alumni network working in every creative discipline, which provides rich potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration and support. Meeting fellow alumni through the network has introduced me to sustainable brands, businesses, innovative products, and developments that I wouldn't otherwise know. This has been an invaluable chance to continue learning about climate change and sustainable solutions.
Also, my MA course introduced me to new ways of approaching sustainability, such as using speculative design as a tool for considering future scenarios, products, and services. The overall experience encouraged me to explore both traditional and novel techniques when developing solutions to textile waste.
For me, Sustainable means finding a continuous balance between people, the planet, and profit.
- Instagram: @tamarahenrikson
Lukas Kroulik
MA Fashion Photography, London College of Fashion (LCF), 2010
I learned about the network through the UAL alumni newsletter and I decided to get involved as a committee member. I would like to share insights from my sustainable art projects, my engagement with climate change thought leaders and my curatorial/project management skills. I want to share my joy for a sustainable lifestyle.
I love meeting with other people who studied at UAL, hearing their news, and finding out what they’re doing since graduating. It creates opportunities for collaboration and networking. I am also very happy to mentor current students.
At UAL I started a Foundation Diploma at London College of Fashion in 2004, before going on to achieve both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees; BA Fashion Specialist Make-up and Hair Design (2008) and MA Fashion Photography (2010).
- MA research focused on storytelling through imagery, in the final project “Debutante”
- I was a student representative for my MA programme, where I helped to in shaping future degree programme design and mentored programme peers
I learned a lot from my time at UAL. I got so many opportunities to collaborate, network, and work on different disciplines. I made friends for life and I was given so much insight into the fashion and creative industries as well as support with my dyslexia. The facilities in the makeup and hair studios, photography studios, and the library were great places to practice and find references.
During the lockdown, I had a transformational shift. The world seemed to be coming to an end and that made it essential that made me think about my responsibilities...I spent time in a very isolated but beautiful place in the Isle of Skye, and put into practice my passion for sustainable living, which then became an artistic expression.
Sustainable is to me caring for one another, caring about our shared resources, and using them mindfully.
At the moment I am working on several projects. One is about Costa Rica and its rainforests from the sustainable eco-tourism point of view, working with my collaborator from the local indigenous community. My second project focuses on freshwater lakes; drying up, being polluted, and declining birdlife (Convention on Wetlands), while sea levels rise and change the familiar landscapes.
I would like to collaborate with current UAL students and hear about their projects and plans for the future.
- Instagram: @lukas.kroulik
- Website: LukasKroulik.london
Zillah Bridget Bosworth-Coleman
Mural Design HND (1988), BA in Design for Architectural Space (1993), and MA in Public Art: Theory and Practice (1995), Chelsea College of Arts.
My name is Zillah and I’m a Chelsea College of Art graduate. I studied Mural Design HND (1988), BA Design for Architectural Space (1993), and MA Public Art: Theory and Practice (1995).
The Public Art MA was a trailblazer for the importance of context beyond 20 century ‘modernist’ concerns. The curriculum could be conservative in its interpretation.
In 1993, my work in digital art was encouraged, but in 1995, my practice involved the use of the internet as an environment, which was strongly criticised on the basis that ‘the internet was totally elitist, and no one would ever use it’. This taught me to take the long view! I enjoyed the freedom of mixing practical work with the 50% theory requirement; painting, 3D, performance, and technology including photography. The Architectural Association also had strong links with our course and concern with environmental issues.
My lifelong interest in our relationship with technology extends to finding solutions to our vulnerable position on Earth, slowing down our demise, and exploring the solar system for survival. Our development in sustainable human ethics doesn’t need to be sublimated if it is made a priority.
Currently I’m working on a show that explores the notion of ‘biographical’ from a post post-feminist perspective. My work typically demolishes the 4 wall in visual art, and in this case, the focus is an intergenerational conversation, embracing the anger of our times. New work in development reflects discussions from the sustainability committee and my active involvement in inclusive poetry and performance.
I like to collaborate with people with an attachment to a specific environment for creative work dealing with any of the 3 pillars of sustainability. However, in 2024. ‘Women and War’ is a theme I would like to explore from a social sustainability perspective with other artists, and collaborations in New Zealand.
- LinkedIn: Zillah Bridget Bosworth-Coleman
Zahir Thebault
Foundation in Art and Design, Central Saint Martins, 2014.
My name is Zahir, I completed the Art Foundation at Central Saint Martins in 2014. Since then I have completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering and am now a Doctoral researcher in mechanical and materials engineering at Imperial College London.
I discovered the Sustainability Alumni Network through the UAL website and the alumni newsletter. I feel the network offers the potential to engage with the huge number of talented people who studied at UAL past, present, and future and work together on a topic of critical importance. During my time at Central Saint Martins, I was inspired by some incredibly talented fellow students. I see the same opportunity now to be inspired by other members of the alumni network working on finding sustainable solutions together. It’s a great opportunity to make connections with like-minded people - that’s how we can make things happen.
Sustainable to me means lots of things: 0% waste, 100% recycling, and finding a replacement for plastics and other oil-based fuels/materials. Switching to bio-based materials and renewable energy is a big part of this.
