Surface Design student represents the UK in the SDC world final
Dan Matthews with the other finalists at the SDC UK final at the Houses of Parliament
Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:15:00 BST
Huddersfield student Dan Matthews wins the UK final of the Society of Dyers and Colourists International Design Competition
TALENTED surface design student from the University of Huddersfield has been named national award winner in London by the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) for his recent work (pictured opposite and below) with inventive use of colour.
Dan Matthews, 23, from Cannock, won the national heat of SDC International Design Competition held at the Houses of Parliament earlier this week. He will now represent the UK in the world final to be held in China in November, where he will compete against 11 other contestants and have the chance of winning £1,000.
The SDC award is globally recognised for professionalism in colour awareness at a superior level and Dan now hopes his national title will catch the attention of future employers.
The contestants are only allowed to enter a small glimpse of their work in the form of four A2 boards, but Dan’s skill with colour shone through even on such a small scale.
“There is an unusual twist to Dan’s work and his use of colour is more forward thinking than the trends that are out right now,” said his University Course Leader, Joanne Harris. “He can forecast colour and I think that’s something that isn’t taught, it’s an ability or sense which comes naturally to him. He sees colour first hand and it hasn’t been sourced by something else, therefore his work is all original.”
For the competition, Dan combined traditional and contemporary techniques in order to get the desired effect. This included paper weaving and digital photography, whilst simultaneously thinking about the colour palette and the way that he could mix the various colours.
“The work for the SDC award is influenced by the architecture around London, featuring the traditional and urban buildings as they are so prominent in the world we live in,” said Dan, whose work will now feature at the New Designers exhibition in London at the end of the month. “I wanted to see how that could be translated to fabric using the patterns that I’d noticed when observing the city. I also believe that there should always be a story behind my project and consequently, I’d prefer to go into deep thought about it rather than designing the first thing I think of.”
Dan’s future plans include working and developing as a print designer, but also in colour and trend aspects, and after a few years working in industry he would like to study for his MA. However, his ultimate aim is to one day create his very own label.
SDC Marketing and Membership Officer, Angela Ackroyd, was very impressed with Dan’s designs: “Dan is a worthy winner and a popular choice. We are delighted that he will represent the UK at the Grand Final in China in November.”
