University Degree Shows 2024: Touring the Midlands in Search of the Next Generation of Designers

Each year, our studio team tours the university degree shows in the Midlands in search of the next generation of designers to bring into the fold.

Headed by Operations Manager, Lucy Moore, this activity is part of a wider initiative, ROOTED IN DESIGN, where we not only actively seek the design talent coming out of  UK universities, but develop young designers via detailed development plans & career opportunities.

7^th June 2024 – University of Lincoln End of Year Show

Starting off the tour was a visit to the University of Lincoln on 7^th June – a university that Briggs Hillier partner with regularly to support Lincoln’s Interior Architecture & Design students’ transition from university to the workplace. Working closely with course tutor, Rosie Elvin, this year we helped to deliver a “Live Brief” module, so it was fantastic to view their end of year projects to see whether they had put some of the learnings from our mentorship into practice.

13-26th June 2024 – BCU Inspired Festival 2024: Birmingham School of Architecture & Design

Next on the list was an exhibition-style event hosted by BCU which showed off the students’ work in the best way possible. Accompanying Lucy Moore to the Birmingham School of Architecture & Design end of year show was Briggs Hillier designer, Laura McVey, who graduated the BCU course with a First Class Honours.

14^th June 2024 – Manchester School of Art Design Degree Show

Briggs Hillier designers, Amelia Berry and Harry Hogg, attended Manchester Metropolitan University for Manchester School of Art’s design degree show. Incorporating research, development, technical skills and refined designs, the work on display answered key question objectives, including: “How can we be more sustainable?”, “What does the future look like?” and “Who can benefit from the spaces you design?”.

Speaking on the end of year show, Amelia said: “The opening night of Manchester School of Art Degree Show 2024 was a great success, and the students should be immensely proud of the projects they have produced. It was fantastic to see the graduates’ creativity on display across a range of interior solutions designed to tackle contemporary issues affecting society today – including poverty and food waste, homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights and environmental challenges.”

19^th June 2024 – North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College (Interion Design HND)

We not only focus our attention on university graduates, but the education & training offered at all levels and in various other formats so not to overlook the design talent taking an alternative route into the industry.

Managing Director and Co-Founder of Briggs Hillier, Jenny Hillier, visited the Hinkley campus of North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College to view the end of year work of Interior Design HND students.

Jenny said: “Located literally down the road from our studio, it was really inspiring to see young people putting so much energy and passion into their design projects, and wanting to make a difference to the next generation of our interior environments, whether retail, hospitality or community space”.

“Huge thanks to Interior Design Lecturer at NWSLC, Olivia Emily Godfrey, for taking the time to talk through the students’ work as we made our way around the displays. “

We will also be attending the Interior Educators Summer Show in London on 4^th July where we look forward to seeing project work of students from interior programmes across the UK that have been shortlisted for a prestigious Interior Educators award which honours outstanding achievements in design.