Double celebration for MDes Surface Pattern and Textiles graduate

Congratulations to Anna Eynon who has successfully completed her MDes in Surface Pattern and Textiles and has won a coveted Laura Ashley Lifestyle Award.

Anna’s journey began at Crickhowell High School, where she developed her passion for art and design. Whilst at school, the now 22-year-old from Abergavenny, participated in several workshops at Swansea College of Art, which left a lasting impression. 

“I was amazed at the abundance of creativity within the two buildings, Alex and Dynevor,” she said. Despite initial interests in set design and fine art, it was a subtle suggestion from her teacher and a subsequent exploration of the Surface Pattern Design and Textiles course on Instagram that truly resonated with her.

“I then had the feeling of ‘this feels right’ and was set on the Surface Pattern course from there,” she said.

Starting her course in 2020 amidst the pandemic, Ann said she faced the unique challenge of remote learning. However, through perseverance and the support of her lecturers, she overcame these challenges, eventually finding her unique design style. “I am really good at painting flowers, and I loved how it felt to be good at something. Since then, I based my projects around elements of nature,” she said.

Her final major project in her third year focused on Biophilia, the concept of bringing nature indoors. “The highlights of the course for me were definitely during this time, where I was pushed by the lecturers to pursue this passion,” she said. This dedication led her to continue her studies, ultimately creating a strong portfolio that prepared her for future career opportunities.

Anna’s hard work culminated in her final project being showcased at New Designers 2024, where she won the Laura Ashley Lifestyle Award. This prestigious award includes a one-month placement and the opportunity for Laura Ashley to purchase her artwork. 

“This is my biggest achievement, and the 4 years of hard work paid off,” she says. Her work received significant recognition from other brands and industry professionals during the event.

Anna’s immediate plans include working with the Laura Ashley team this summer. “I am excited to see the amazing things they will do with my collection,” she said. She credits the course’s emphasis on branding and promotion for her ability to develop a cohesive brand showcased on her website and social media platforms. “This definitely helps people to identify you and is a great tool to showcase your work,” she added.

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071