Recently graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Textile Design Innovation, Rachel's cross disciplinary style has allowed her to develop ambitious projects, centred around the future of design placing local communities at the centre of her work. Grounded in research, her projects often take on a speculative, positivist perspective, believing in dreaming as a tool for problem solving.
Mixed media and animation has allowed Rachel to push the meaning of Textile Design exploring the boundaries of digital and physical materiality. This is coupled with a strong love of photography,
warping perceptions of reality engaging her audience’s imagination. Rachel holds digital design in high regard believing it is essential in ensuring her work is ever evolving and consistently challenging
contemporary design.
Rachel prides herself on creating innovative designs that address contemporary problems and is keen to work with pioneering brands and individuals who strive to push the boundaries of design, developing work with a purpose.
Projects
- A New WorldTransport your mind away from fragmented, dystopian thoughts and instead imagine a world of colour, individuality, creativity, and expression. Welcome to “A New World”. A conceptual installation with a strong social sustainability angle that explores the power of positive design and imagination in empowering communities to take control of the future. Centred around speculative participatory research, “A New World” explores audiences’ current and ideal future perspectives, resulting in two themes
- CHAMORSA Materials World Competition: A research based project working in collaboration with Julia Parsonage (print student) in which we were shortlisted and attended an interview with the panel of judges to discuss the project further. "A product proposal to revolutionise fashion with colour and pattern changing clothes which eliminates the need for textile dyeing."
- PODAn installation project designed to inspire creativity and imagination post COVID-19. POD is centred around providing a safe space for people to meet and interact in using sensors, light and projection. The pandemic has negatively impacted many people’s lives including those between the ages of 18-24 causing them to feel anxious and lost. POD aims to provide a safe space where the users can be transported to a world of wonder and technicolour to help improve their mental health. This project w
- Outside UnderOutside Under is a site specific installation project set in one of London’s busiest tube stations: London Bridge. With the aim of improving commuter wellness to help promote productivity and positivity. Inspired by London landscapes and iconic buildings, by bringing the outside to the underground commuters will be able to feel the magic of London, even in it's darkest spots.
- ROMO X Black EditionLive project working with the ROMO brand Black Edition to create a sophisticated collection including group samples working with other disciplines to create a well rounded collection. This project was inspired by Nottingham's rich history and lace industry. Bringing this sense of history and nostalgia into a more contemporary light, suitable for the Black Edition brand.
Work history
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Wedding dress seamstress apprenticeAngel Face Bridal Studio
- Newton Abbot, United KingdomInternship
Education
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MA Textile Design InnovationNottingham Trent University
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Soon to start on the fulltime MA Textile Design Innovation at Nottingham Trent where I will be refining my craft and furthering my knowledge on sustainable social development and colour theory.
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BA Textile DesignNottingham Trent University
- Nottingham, United Kingdom
During the course of my BA I gained strong embroidery and multi-media skills working in a cross disciplinary style. I also developed excellent CAD skills learning most Adobe platforms both taught and self taught. My love for colour and social sustainability was advanced, becoming an integral part of my design work.
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Awards
Shortlisted Certification RSA Student Design AwardsRoyal Society of Arts
This was a collaborative project where I worked alongside another student to create CHAMO. The brief was to use biophilia to help solve a social problem. We found that the colour changing properties found in nature could be used in clothing to help eliminate the need for textile dying, thus reducing the need for fast fashion and the effects of textile dye pollution.N
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Sustainability in Practice Certificate FinalistNottingham Trent University
For this award I submitted a proposal for reducing the need for fast fashion by having a capsule wardrobe and an accompanying piece of technology that helps decide outfits for you each day to help make the most of your wardrobe.