This time last year, MA Textile Design 2014 graduate Jessica Hart was about to have her MA Show, which was then selected by UAL to be shown at Tokyo Design Week. Since then she’s been working closely with the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). Jessica tells us about her experiences in our ‘One Year On’ series.
It has been one year since you graduated – what have you been up to?
I have been focusing on growing my practice as a freelance digital print and embroidery designer, taking on new projects and learning tons of new skills.
Currently I am leading the design process for a tapestry design company, working closely with the V&A, producing needlepoint kits from their archive, which is really exciting. Alongside this, I am also creating and selling my prints relating to my final MA project, as an independent artist, having secured my first stockist in London.
And lastly, I have recently begun work on developing a research project which is a continuation of my work at Chelsea. I hope to pitch this to people in the autumn…fingers crossed!
How has your practice developed since graduating?
It has definitely grown! Chelsea really gave me the confidence to go out there and explore the industry and promote myself as an independent designer.
Working towards creating a more sustainable design practice was the major underlying theme of the course at Chelsea. I have been utilising these techniques and promoting these design philosophies within my personal practice.
Have you taken part in any projects/collaborations/exhibitions over the past year?
After graduation last September I was lucky enough to have work from my MA show selected by UAL to be shown at Tokyo Design Week, which was a great experience.
How did you find the Summer Show experience last year?
It was totally exciting and humbling, but also a total blur! All that time spent working away at something so personal to you and then all of a sudden there it was on display for all to see! At the time I was still moving at a million miles an hour but a few days after the private view I was able to look around and realise what we had all achieved as graduates.
Image courtesy of Jessica Hart.
Is there any advice you would like to give to our current or prospective MA Textiles students?
Try and approach your work with an open mind, step out of your comfort zone as many times as you can, absorb as much as possible, and just have fun because time will go by faster than you think.
See more examples of work on Jessica Hart’s website.
Learn more about the MA Textile Design course.
Read more about our MA Summer Show.