Award for UCLan textiles talent

A lifelong passion for plants and endangered species has inspired a talented textiles design student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to win a prestigious award.

Award for UCLan textiles talent - a passion for the environment inspires a cohesive, creative and commercial portfolio

A lifelong passion for plants and endangered species has inspired a talented textiles design student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to be recognised with a prestigious graduate award.

Jess Kirkpatrick, 22, from Lytham St Annes, won the sought-after Creative Lancashire Award for Enterprise at UCLan’s recent 2020 Degree Shows award ceremony which for the first time took place live on-line. 

In her final collection, ‘Living Specimen’, Jess combined her talent for drawing with experimental processes such as screen printing and mark making to create eye–catching prints. Incorporated into wallpaper and fabric designs, the entrepreneurial graduate has created a variety products which are now available to buy from her on-line shop.

Jess, who has just graduated from the BA(Hons)Textiles Design programme explained: “My lifelong passion for the environment and the living world inspired me to create a body of work which focused on endangered species and the habitats in which they live.  I wanted to create designs that can educate people on species they may never have heard about before.

“Hopefully my work will capture people’s attention and help to start conversations, whether it’s asking about the unusual creature climbing through the branches or, how the print would look as a whole in their home. 

“I try to capture flora and fauna as realistically as I can,” Jess added. “In fact, I’ve been making my own scientific discoveries along the way.”

Ever year students from across the University’s creative disciplines are entered for the award with the winner having to demonstrate a clear understanding of industry, a high level of professionalism while producing work which has commercial appeal.This year the judging panel included Chair of Creative Lancashire Jenny Rutter, a producer with two decades' experience supporting and developing creative practice in the North West.

Commenting on Jess’s achievement Jenny said: “We are delighted to recognise Jess this year. She has not only created a cohesive, creative and commercial portfolio of work but also made a powerful statement about environmental issues and endangered species. We are convinced she has all the qualities needed to forge a successful career in the years to come."

Images: (Above) Jess Kirkpatrick in her studio and (Below) Botanical Prints

The annual Degree Show Awards Ceremony was hosted by Executive Dean of the Faculty of Culture and the Creative Industries, Jane Anthony who announced the eight award winners during a live streamed event.

Here is the full list of celebrated students:

Architecture Technology:  Nellie Jenkinson

Creative Lancashire Award for Enterprise - Textile Design: Jessica Kirkpatrick

Fashion Promotion: Tiwiyari Ndora

Foundation: Art & Design: Andrea Banks

Games Design: Lukasz Kyc

Graphic Design: Ellie Spickett

Photography: Nathan Johnson

Product Design: Brandon Kinder

To see more final year work by UCLan students visit the virtual gallery here

(Images - From Top: Breaking Barriers - Tiwirayi Ndora / Andrea Banks - Lockdown Diaries / Nathan Johnson - The Gay Times)

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a leading modern university with thriving campuses in Preston, Burnley, Westlakes (Cumbria) and Cyprus. Founded in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge, UCLan now has a staff and student community approaching 38,000 and an employment-focused course portfolio containing over 350 undergraduate programmes and nearly 250 postgraduate courses. As well as being a national leader in the number of student and graduate start-up businesses it supports, UCLan is also Lancashire’s largest provider of graduate level qualifications, supplying highly skilled graduates into the workforce. The University also has established links with global businesses, police constabularies, NHS trusts and more than 1,000 regional enterprises across a variety of sectors. Internationally the University now enrols students from more than 100 countries and has partnerships with 125 institutions from across the globe. The University has an established research reputation with world-leading or internationally excellent work taking place within the areas of Business, Health, Humanities and Science. UCLan is also ranked in the top 6.5 percent of universities worldwide in the 2020-21 Centre for World University Rankings, as well as holding the maximum 5 QS stars for the quality of its teaching. With a strong focus on continually improving the student experience, UCLan is currently undertaking a £200 million project to redevelop its Preston Campus. The vision is to create an attractive and inviting, world-class environment helping to create jobs, kick-start regeneration and attract inward investment into the city and North West region.
uclan.ac.uk

Standfast & Barracks is a world class leader and creative force in fabric printing since 1923. Its 95 year-heritage is quintessentially British, combining traditional, highly skilled craftsmanship and expertise, with bold, cutting edge technology and a passion for innovation in textiles. Standfast & Barracks was recently awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for International Trade (2020). The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organisations who excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development. They are the highest official UK awards for British businesses.
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