The University of Huddersfield's School of Art, Design and Architecture presents the work of 10 of its award-winning interior design graduates in this school show for Virtual Design Festival.

All 10 featured projects were completed by students in their final year of study on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course, during which students are invited to select their own sites and develop individual briefs.

Ranging from an indoor picnic experience for festivals to a retail space dedicated to upcycled homeware, the projects are hoped to offer a complete overview of the course and help viewers "glimpse at the future".

University of Huddersfield, School of Art, Design and Architecture

University: University of Huddersfield, School of Art, Design and Architecture
Course: Interior Design BA(Hons)
Studio: Final Major Project
Tutors: Penny Sykes, Jen Leach and Claire Diggle
Instagram: @i_d_hud

Course statement:

"We are proud to present a selection of 10 pieces of award-winning work that aim to demonstrate the range and scope of projects students undertake in their final year of study.

"Each project is individual and students select a site and develop their own project brief. Through in-depth research and explorative processes, projects are designed and developed, becoming finally realised through technical and visual communication.

"Here at Huddersfield we think that Interior Design transforms ideas into experiences, we give students the opportunity to be able to create entirely new experiences and relationships between people and the places they spend time in. The emphasis is on creativity, as we explore and extend current design thinking, pushing boundaries to innovate, providing new ways of looking at human and spatial interactions, in response to our changing world.

"This group of students has had to cope with unprecedented circumstances during the Covid-19 outbreak and are a credit to themselves and the course in producing exciting projects that help us to glimpse at the future. They are on the cusp of new approaches and changing parameters in design, able to adapt and offer reflexive approaches to future projects."

Wabi-Sabi by Laura Clarke

"Wabi-Sabi is a retail and workshop space that explores the sustainable practice of shopping for upcycled household furnishings.

"Using the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi and celebrating imperfection, the project gives users opportunities to shop in an adaptable and everchanging space for furniture.

"The story of products is told through displays, customers are encouraged to buy products and tools and undertake their own projects. The space also offers workshops where skills can be learned and a community of makers can be found."

Name: Laura Clarke
Project: Wabi-Sabi – Upcycle Store and Studio
Course award: Best Visual Communication
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: www.laura-clarke.co.uk

Studio & Store by Karolina Noworolska

"Studio & Store is an innovative cosmetics store that nurtures and grows the connections between traditional retail, social media platforms and brand.

"The store offers two types of retailing: a 'frictionless' convenient digital experience for those who know what they want, and a 'sticky' slowed down experiential journey for those who want to immerse themselves in new products and learn more.

"With video recording studios and a broadcast space, the store acts as a beacon and encourages customers' confidence, supporting them on their own journeys to feeling great."

Name: Karolina Noworolska
Project: Studio & Store – Sticky + Frictionless Cosmetic Retailing
Course award: Best Technical Detailing
Contact address: [email protected] 
Website: karolinanoworolska.wixsite.com/portfolio

Natural Connections by Sarah Holdsworth

"Situated in the vibrant city of Leeds, Natural Connections offers an antidote to the pressurised and natureless workplaces of today. The space tackles Nature Deficit Disorder in busy working lives and aims to reap the benefits of immersion in a naturalistic environment.

"Using topography and genius loci, the concept was developed through a personal and experiential approach to natural and local environments, which drove 3D responses and design language."

Name: Sarah Holdsworth
Project: Natural Connections – Tackling Nature-Deficit order in the workplace
Course award: Best Creative Process
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: sarah-holdsworth.com

Free Spirit by Holly Thomas

"The UK leads the way in the production of non-alcoholic spirits. Combine this with the Gen Z trend towards lower alcohol consumption and the need for venues that offer a more meaningful and experiential approach to nightlife, you have Free Spirit.

"A retail and tasting space greet the customer as they enter over a bridge, hero products are tasted and once interested, customers can make their way upstairs to the bar and have their fortunes told.

"The concepts of cosmic mysticism and clarity of reflection are evident throughout the design through materiality and experience."

Name: Holly Thomas
Project: Free Spirit – Alcohol Free Temperance Bar and Retail Space
Course award: Best Conceptual Approach
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: hollyathomas.wixsite.com/mysite

Euphoria by Heather Sharp

"The music festival scene is buoyant, with Glastonbury being the most iconic UK festival. Availability of eating experiences at festivals is limited and consists mainly of street food which is eaten on-the-go.

"Euphoria offers an indoor picnic experience with CBD enhanced teas and desserts on the menu that gives festival-goers the chance to stop, relax and be mindful in a busy and stimulating festival.

"Offering a range of spaces featuring live planting, water and natural materials, the space enhances the heightened awareness of consumers."

Name: Heather Sharp
Project: Euphoria – Experiential Festival Eatery
Course award: Best Use of Materiality
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: linkedin.com/in/heather-sharp-31b7621b0

Fermentations by Alex Edgington

"The recent rise in craft beer trends fuels Fermentations. It aims to revolutionise the home-brew market and invigorate it by tapping into a younger audience that is intrigued by home-brewing.

"A memorable space that uses the architecture of the building and the exposure within, through the verticality of the space to expose the brewing process.

"The customer journey supports learning and doing by offering retail and hire of equipment and a social space to allow communities to form and experience sharing, solidifying relationships between new and old new audiences."

Name: Alex Edgington
Project: Fermentations – Home-Brew Store
Course award: Best Spatial Exploration
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: instagram.com/a.edge_design

Antidote by Nadia Wroteka

"Antidote focuses on the growing awareness of vitamin deficiencies in the younger population and the rise in technology allowing diagnosis and treatment.

"Through vitamin-infused drinks in the smoothie bar or more medically-based IV infusions in the lab, Antidote offers a multifunction well-being space to allow customers to live life to its fullest.

"Utilising app technology to engage customers in their own wellness, the space allows both social and clinical experiences in style and comfort."

Name: Nadia Wroteka
Project: Antidote – Vitamin Infusion Bar
Course award: Future Focused Project
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: nadiawrotecka.wixsite.com/interiordesign

Canalside by Abbie Gawtry

"Situated in Saddleworth, which has one of the highest concentrations of elderly and dementia care homes in the UK, Canalside is a day centre where families can come together to share experiences.

"Designed around appropriate and stimulating activities where families can come together in a tailor-made environment to interact and make new memories. Services aim to promote well-being in people with dementia and their family by offering support, advice and the ability to foster a community."

Name: Abbie Gawtry
Project: Canalside – Dementia Friendly Family Centre
Course award: Most Socially Focused Project
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: abbiegawtry.wixsite.com/website

Emmeline by Ebony Whittaker

"The lingerie business is unpicked to provide a new approach to lingerie retail. Inclusivity is the driver for a dual approach to off-the-peg and bespoke lingerie, with a fitting service that caters for those who do not conform to the idealised body image that proliferates the current market.

"With ranges displayed on the ground floor, and a new approach to the measuring and fitting experience in specially designed fitting rooms to make customers feel comfortable on the first floor, Emmeline rebels and takes action, like its namesake Emmeline Pankhurst."

Name: Ebony Whittaker
Project: Emmeline – Lingerie Store for the Rebellious
Course award: Most Commercially Focused Project
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: ebzdesigns4.wixsite.com/mysite

Balance by Phoebe Williams

"This experiential wellness store uses embedded technology throughout, disrupting traditional high street retail.

"From the street where proximal technology is used to entice customers, through to the final purchase where seamless payment is used to banish queues, the customer is guided and encouraged to make informed purchases through assistive technology.

"Each retail journey is personalised and extended through both digital omnichannel engagement and tactile, interactive display methodologies."

Name: Phoebe Williams
Project: Balance – Future Thinking Wellness Store
Course award: External Examiners Prize for Best Overall Project
Contact address: [email protected]
Website: phoebewilliams5.wixsite.com/intdesign

Virtual Design Festival's student and schools initiative offer a simple and affordable platform for student and graduate groups to present their work during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for more details.