29 September 2005

Glover Trade: Master of Design Scholarships

PHOTOCALL - 10.30 AM, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH. RECEPTION ROOM, DUNCAN OF JORDANSTONE COLLEGE (meet at main foyer, Duncan of Jordanstone)

The Glover Trade, one of the Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee, will present scholarships worth £1000 each to three Master of Design students from the University of Dundee.

Nicki Brander, Andrea Sheedy and Nina Stahlberg, all students in the School of Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College, will be presented with their scholarships by Mr Martin Smith of the Glover Trade. The scholarships are to support the students' research in the textile field.

Ms Marlene Ivey, Course Director for the Master of Design programme, said "The Glover Trade has enabled these students to respond to real world problems, achieving a level of professionalism that they might not have achieved otherwise. We deeply appreciate the generous and sustained financial support that we receive from the Glover Trade."

The Glover Trust has been awarding scholarships to local students pursuing textile design-related study on the Master of Design course at Duncan of Jordanstone College since 2003.

The first recipients of the awards were Lorraine Anderson and Elizabeth Donald, who completed their degrees in December 2004. Ms Anderson's study led her to explore pollen structures at the University's Welcome Trust Research Centre and followed this up with investigation in the field of health and well being for asthma sufferers. In consultation with patients she created a textile design proposal for a privacy curtain for the asthma ward at Ninewells Hospital.

Ms Donald used her Glover Trade award to support travel to South Africa where she worked in partnership with the King of the Lunda people in North West Zambia conducting research into the tribe’s vanishing traditional crafts. She designed educational packs for use in their schools and training centres and aimed to regenerate traditional crafts as a means of creating sustainable economies.

Last years recipients Gemma McLachlan and Anita Hutchison completed their Master of Design study in August 2005. Ms McLachlan studied the affect of the interior design of aircraft on the well being of passengers. She executed textile designs for aircrafts, producing full-scale prototype seating, which can be seen in the School of Design's research room.

Communication and identity were significant aspects of Anita Hutchison's study. Throughout her Master’s year she volunteered one day per week in a Dundee care home investigating the use of textile craft techniques as a catalyst for communication with elderly people and people with dementia.

By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk