2 July 2010
DJCAD jewellery graduates strike gold two years in a row
A Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) graduate is celebrating after winning one of the UK’s most illustrious awards for emerging jewellery designers.
Elizabeth Humble (22) was selected to take part in the prestigious New Designers exhibition in London along with fellow graduates from the Jewellery & Metal Design programme at DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee. After impressing judges with her exhibit, Elizabeth was announced as being the winner of the New Designers Goldsmith's Company Jewellery Award.
The prize comprises £1000, 10 years registration at the Goldsmiths' Company Assay Office, a place on the company’s ‘Getting Started’ business course and access to the Astley Clarke mentoring scheme. She has also won the opportunity to design an exclusive collection for Astley Clarke.
Drawing is a key element of Elizabeth’s practice, which is heavily influenced and inspired by landscapes. Using precious metals, her designs feature details and elements of a landscape to create elegant jewellery that is completely unique and original.
Elizabeth, originally from Argyll, graduated with a 2:1 degree last month. 'The Fragile Landscape', her exhibit at New Designers, had proved a popular display at the Dundee Degree Show in May.
Elizabeth said the money would be used to purchase precious metals to enable her to continue her practice, and that she was both delighted and surprised to have won.
'I’m absolutely over the moon, but still can’t really believe it,' she said. 'I honestly didn’t expect to win, and was completely shocked when they read out my name.
'This prize gives me the funding to continue the development of my collection. It is a great opportunity and a platform for me to break into the jewellery world, which is what I’ll be using the prize money for.
'Part of the prize is the chance to design an exclusive collection for Astley Clarke, and that’s what I’ll be getting to work on straight away. I would imagine I’ll be spending the next 6-8 months working on that.'
For the past 25 years, New Designers has been showcasing the work of the top UK graduate designers from a wide range of creative disciplines. The exhibition attracts over 18,000 visitors annually, including many industry professionals eager to check out emerging talent in areas such as jewellery, animation, furniture, fashion and graphics.
This is the second year in a row in which a DJCAD graduate has won the Goldsmith's Company Jewellery Award. Hannah Livingston won the award in 2009, and the Jewellery & Metal Design programme has established a strong reputation for generating individual and innovative new designers in recent years.
Jewellery & Metal Design programme director Dr Sandra Wilson congratulated Elizabeth on her award, and praised her for the high standard of her work.
'This really is the biggest jewellery award in the UK, and for Elizabeth to have won it is wonderful,' she said. 'We weren’t surprised that Elizabeth won, even if she was. Her work is fantastic, and this award is the perfect way for her to launch her career as a jewellery designer.
'It is also a fantastic reflection on the degree programme, and we’re delighted with Elizabeth’s achievements, particularly given the fact that Hannah Livingston won the same award last year.
'The past couple of years have seen out students and graduates produce some truly exceptional and highly innovative work. They have gone on to win several prestigious awards and really make their mark in the professional world. They are an inspiration to current students, and show what can be achieved with hard work.'
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