GoodWeave is the new labelling initiative of RugMark, a not-for-profit organisation concerned with eradicating child labour in the rug industries of Nepal and India. By entering this design competition GoodWeave hopes to encourage tomorrow's designers to become more aware of the ethical and social issues involved in the rug industry.
This year the two design themes are Industrial and Organic and the brief is firmly geared to the luxury end of the market place. Both briefs are highly commercial and pick up on fashionable themes and trends within the interiors market.
An expert panel of judges from the interiors sector will decide on the winners, and there are plans to exhibit the winning designs at one of the leading design exhibitions held in London in September.
First prize: The winning design will be made into a hand-knotted rug in Nepal, made from 100% wool, or a combination of wool and silk (up to 50% silk, depending on the design), size 140 x 200cms. In addition, a 45cms x 45cms strike off (sample) for the student’s portfolio will be provided, plus the opportunity for one week of work experience or work-shadowing with GoodWeave and/or rug importers, designers and retailers in the UK.
Second prize: This design will be made into a hand-knotted rug in Nepal, made from 100% wool, or a combination of wool and silk (up to 50% silk, depending on the design), scaled to 120 x 180cms. In addition, a 45cms x 45cms strike off (sample) for the student’s portfolio will be provided.
Third prize: This design will be made into a hand-tufted rug in India, made from 100% wool, size 120 x 180cms.
See 2009 prize winners on the ARTS THREAD Blog
Image credits left to right: Organic Moodboard, Industrial Moodboard, GoodWeave Rug Design Competition 2010