Arts Thread

My practice as a print and textile designer is driven by experimentation, material exploration and emotional storytelling. Through my Final Major Project, The Endless Summer, I explored how colour, texture and layered surfaces can communicate memories of summer, belonging and optimism. Inspired by the atmosphere of the 1960s surf film The Endless Summer, alongside my own experiences growing up on a small island, I developed a collection that combines print, tufting and mixed-media processes to create immersive textile surfaces. Innovation has been central to my approach. I explored screen printing, sublimation, collage, flocking, lino print and tufting, becoming particularly interested in the relationship between flat printed imagery and raised tactile surfaces. Selectively integrating tufting into printed compositions allowed me to create depth, contrast and movement, pushing traditional print outcomes into more sculptural and spatial territory. I also experimented with scanning tufted samples and translating them digitally back into print, creating layered effects that could be adapted across fashion and interiors. Sustainability also underpins my practice. I reused discarded fabrics, leftover inks and recycled materials to create experimental “End of the Day” pieces, embracing chance while reducing waste. This process encouraged unexpected outcomes and reinforced my interest in circular approaches to textile design. My use of recycled and reimagined materials reflects my belief that sustainable design can still be expressive, colourful and emotionally engaging. Throughout the project, I developed a clearer design identity and stronger professional positioning. I now see my work not only as finished products, but as a broader lifestyle and surface design collection suitable for fashion, interiors and installation contexts. TEXT+ appeals to me because it celebrates innovative textiles, creativity and forward-thinking material exploration. My work reflects these values through its combination of experimental processes, layered storytelling and sustainable practice. I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries between print, texture, colour and material innovation.