Andrew Pavitt

The current resurgence of interest in the designs produced in the mid 20th century have led to a number of contemporary designers reinterpreting this style in a new way across the applied arts. Designers like Orla Kiely, Neisha Crossland, St Judes and Swedish designer Lotta Jansdotter have all successfully applied a mid century aesthetic across a wide range of products.

This short course will look at the original practitioners from Britain and Scandinavia working in printed textiles ceramics and furniture design and look at ways in which the Mid Centenary look and feel can be applied to contemporary design.

Looking at three key areas you will have the chance to explore these elements and generate you're own designs to be carried over into paper or fabric applications.

The three key areas of the Mid Century look are:

• Colour - The muted colour palette is key to the Mid Century look and examples will be shown from the original designers and the new practitioners who cleverly re used these colours
• Shape - Organic forms and abstracted elements such as tree and leaf motifs were used heavily during this period and have enjoyed a dynamic new application by the new breed of contemporary designers.
• Pattern - Printed textiles and ceramics of the fifties and sixties employed pattern in a daring new way there will be a chance to explore how use of pattern can create and suggest a strong period mood, whilst still retaining a fresh contemporary feel.

Generating ideas and inspiration - key to the course will be learning how to effectively generate ideas, throughout the course you will develop your own ‘look book' an A3 work book which will inform more developed personal designs  which in turn can be presented as a proposed series or range.

The final day of the course will provide an opportunity to discuss the work of the  whole group as well as an opportunity to share ideas.

Reference material and a recommended book listed will be made available to you during the course.

Andrew Pavitt is an illustrator and designer. His designs have featured on cards, wine lables, books and original artworks. His work can be viewed here: http://www.andrewpavitt.com/ and related blog at http://andrewpavitt.blogspot.com