June 2010 – Zixi Qu, first year Textile student from Loughborough University, is announced as the winner of the 2010 GoodWeave Rug Design Competition, after a lively and lengthy debate amongst the judges. The annual competition aims to raise awareness, amongst the Designers of tomorrow, of the ethical issues concerning the rug industry. It attracted the highest ever number of entries, from a record number of universities and colleges, and the judges were unanimous in their praise of the outstanding design talent exhibited.

Zixi Qu's rug design: first prize winner

Second prize went to Alison D'Oyley, another student at Loughborough University studying Textiles, with a design reflecting architectural shapes. Third prize went to Jack Godden, first year Embroidery student at Manchester Metropolitan University, who is also the first ever male prize winner in the competition; he explored the organic shapes of an ingeniously folded paper design inspired by laces.

Alison D'Oyley's Design		Jack Godden's Design

Over the coming three months, the three winning designs will be made up into high quality wool and silk rugs by competition sponsors Jacaranda Carpets and WovenGround.com, and will then be on show at Decorex International in September, on the GoodWeave stand. Decorex Marketing Manager, Hazel Willis is enthusiastic about the prospect of exhibiting the winning designs: "The competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their talents and showcase their ability, and Decorex is delighted to be able to support these young designers at the very beginning of their journey into the world of design".

Students were asked to use one of the two themed mood boards, industrial or organic, and to design a luxurious, high quality rug for the top end of the market. Zixi Qu's design featured exotic birds in free flight, beautifully hand drawn and rendered in pastel pinks on an ivory background. Ryan Kohn of Living in Space, one of the judges, commented: "I like this rug's delicate touch: its simple colour palette shows that sometimes less is more".

The winner, Zixi Qu explains her inspiration: "My initial research was based on natural forms developing into wildlife and birds, in particular. After experimenting with drawing birds in different positions, I found that having images of several birds allowed a greater creativity, with the interplay of shapes and curves. I chose birds in flight as the most interesting form, demonstrating power, activity, elegance and beauty. My colour palette is very neutral, because I feel it evokes a clean, soft, fresh and luxurious feel."

The judges also identified an additional four entries for commendation: Rachel Moden of Norwich University College of Art, Jessica Hazley from the University of Ulster School of Art & Design, Chloe Ann Robinson from Loughborough University, and Kathleen Jackson of Manchester Metropolitan University.

Co-sponsors of the competition, and active supporters of GoodWeave, Jacaranda Carpets and on-line rug retailer WovenGround.com were particularly concerned with how well the designs would translate onto a three dimensional rug and their appeal to the marketplace. On initially viewing the room full of entries, Richard Meager of Jacaranda Carpets expressed the view of all the judges, when he said: "There are some fantastic Designers here". However, he also noted that some entrants had difficulty converting their excellent design ideas into 'produceable' rugs sometimes over-working their ideas, and he advised: "Designers need to be brave to keep designs simple".

This year’s competition attracted 71 entries from 13 colleges and universities across the UK. Interestingly, the winner of the 2009 competition was likewise a student from Loughborough University.

The competition aims to increase the awareness of GoodWeave, the international not-for-profit organisation, which strives to eradicate illegal child labour in the rug-making industry and improve the working conditions of adults: it brings to the attention of the Designers of tomorrow, one of the most harrowing supply chain issues surrounding the interior design industry.

Samantha Towle, Executive Director of GoodWeave in the UK, was at the judging and listened with interest, as the judges debated the nuances of good rug design: "I am delighted with the high number of entries and their outstanding calibre, which undoubtedly is a reflection, not only of the talented students, but also the increasing interest and commitment shown in the competition by Course Tutors. If we can start students thinking about ethical issues, such as whether a child of ten should be forced to slave 16 hours a day to make a rug, there is hope they will embrace these issues once they start their careers".

For further information about the GoodWeave and the 2010 design competition visit www.goodweave.org.uk or Tel: 07740 459279.

ENDS.

Press enquiries contact: Fay Handley at Dixon Handley Marketing
Tel: 01926 885511  M: 07790 659983  Email: fay@dixonhandleymarketing.co.uk