<p dir="ltr">Set in the historic Custom House on the Barbican, the Evolve Design Show featured a variety of exhibitors, showcasing their latest products and services in areas such as fabrics, furniture, wall coverings, lighting, flooring and more. Centred around evolving the future of interior design to be more sustainable, innovative and inspiring, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the exhibitors, discover new products and services, and gain valuable insights into the latest design trends. Over 100 people attended the event, including architects, interior designers, design companies and other students.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Exhibitors included wall coverings experts <a href="https://www.arte-international.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arte Walls</a>, <a href="https://www.sekersfabrics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sekers fabrics</a>, Scottish based fabric company <a href="https://www.wemyssfabrics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wemyss</a>, luxury lighting by <a href="https://portaromana.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porta Romana</a>, <a href="https://www.lewisandwood.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lewis &amp; Wood</a>’s fabric and wallpapers, interiors fabric companie <a href="https://fermoie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fermoie</a>, luxury tiles supplier <a href="https://www.amtico.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amtico</a>, wallpaper supplier <a href="https://www.tektura.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tektura</a>, contemporary furniture and lighting company <a href="https://www.momentumcontract.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Momentum</a> as well as <a href="https://www.padstowspirits.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Padstow Gin</a> providing guests with a complimentary gin on arrival and <a href="https://www.thehedgerowhound.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedgerow Hound</a> providing canapés.</p> <p dir="ltr">Students from the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-interior-design">BA (Hons) Interior Design &amp; Styling</a> course at Arts University Plymouth also displayed their work, gaining invaluable experience of networking with potential clients and other industry professionals.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Second year interior students Matilda Shelley and Amelia Osborne project managed the event alongside a team of fellow students whose other roles included social media management, branding, fundraising, budgeting and event planning. In charge of fundraising and sponsorship was Eloise Moore, Louise McCallum and Mia Canvin. Branding of the event fell to students Alexa Yapp, Danielle Hunter, Laura Murray and Lexy Andrew. Organising exhibitors and guests were Megan Blackwell, Layla-Sophia Truelove-Noorani and Caitlin Evans. Students in charge of the venue and hospitality were Megan Ellse, Elise May and Roji Shrestha, with social media being organised by Alisha Meaker, Jade McCabe and Danielle Skilton.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Matilda said, “I was lucky enough to co project manage the event with Amelia and work with my fellow students to create the show. I feel it went wonderfully, we had a buzzing and vibrant atmosphere of chatting and people exploring our various exhibitors. Our feedback from both guests and exhibitors was wonderful with everyone commenting how they would love to visit the next one.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“We learnt so much about the design industry, community and the details involved in creating an event like Evolve. Every part of the process involved careful thought of the final show and provided all of our cohort with opportunities to build individual skills along with the team working process. It has been really eye-opening to all the details and planning that takes place to hold an event and replicate an industry standard interior trade show.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">“The whole experience has grown my personal skills that I’ll be taking forward into my own professional practice and future projects. The show provided a great opportunity to speak to many of the exhibitors about their products, with many of the conversations and guests having inspired new ideas for how I can redesign spaces and how my future in this community can evolve.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m very proud of all the hard work that the show involved from our year and very much believe it paid off for the final result. We are very thankful for all the support and guidance we’ve received from so many people in the University.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Amelia said, “It’s been a wonderful experience sharing project management with Matilda, I feel we’ve worked really well together as a team. Being project manager for this project has elevated me as a person and as a designer. I feel it has built my event management and planning skills, and I’m so proud of all the work our cohort has done to create, organise, fundraise and manage the creation of Evolve. The trade show showcased so many amazing interior design companies and designers.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Subject Leader of <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-interior-design">BA (Hons) Interior Design &amp; Styling</a>, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/cathryn-bishop">Cathryn Bishop</a> said, “The Evolve Trade Show was a remarkable gathering of innovative and creative minds, showcasing some of the most cutting-edge products and designs in the interiors industry. It was a truly inspiring event that brought together designers, manufacturers, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities. The show provided a valuable platform for our students, professionals and businesses to network, build partnerships and gain insights into the latest trends and technologies. The future of interior design is an exciting one, where technology and sustainability will continue to drive innovation, creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also good for our planet so it’s amazing to see our students at the forefront of that. Evolve was a truly unforgettable experience that left a lasting impression on all who attended."</p> <p dir="ltr">You can find out more about the Evolve Design Show via their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Evolve-Design-Show/100090829080155/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/evolve_designshow/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@evolvedesignshow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a> profiles.<br /><br />Our interior design students get the opportunity to expand their sector knowledge and gain valuable networking experience through regular industry events such as the Evolve Trade Show. Find out more about <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-interior-design">BA (Hons) Interior Design &amp; Styling</a> at our next <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/open-day-undergraduate-and-postgraduate-june23">Open Day</a> on 24 June 2023.</p>