A NATIONAL design competition proved to be a black and white affair for a North-East student who won a top prize that could secure her future.
Cleveland College of Art and Design student Samantha Booth took the honours in the contest run by Tiger Print, which is part of Hallmark, one of the world’s biggest gift companies.
The 22-year-old, of Yarm, is currently studying BA (Hons) textiles and surface design at CCAD’s Hartlepool university campus.
She entered her black and white floral design, which could end up in the card and gift range offered by Marks and Spencer, and was shortlisted from more than 1,400 entries.
Tiger Print contacted her with the good news she had won and is also offering a placement at their studios in Bradford, as well as a £200 prize.
She said: “I have enjoyed art since school but didn’t know what I wanted to do with it until I studied Btec design crafts at CCAD Middlesbrough.
“I would love to be a freelance designer and also work abroad. Most design houses are in London but I am contacting the ones in Australia.
“I love florals more than anything else and enjoy hand-drawing them before scanning, manipulating and replicating them on computer.”
She said she loved fashion and making prints for textiles. As her final major project she had worked with fashion students to transform her designs into clothing.
Samantha has been lucky enough to take part in trips to trade shows in Paris and New York at which she made contact with designer Tom Cody.
Programme leader Jayne Hemmins said: “Samantha has been quick to seize any opportunity that has arisen and I am delighted that the quality of her designs has been recognised on a national basis. It would be fantastic if they suddenly appeared in M&S.”
For more details on opportunities at CCAD visit www.ccad.ac.uk or phone (01642) 288888.
