15 May 2008

Fife student Lesley unveils designs on new career

A Fife student at the University of Dundee has turned her degree project into a self-made business - which she will launch at Degree Show tomorrow night (Friday May 16th).

Lesley Thomson (39), from Cupar, decided to waste no time in moving into her new career after completing her fourth year on the Interior and Environmental Design course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

"I have always wanted to run my own business, but I didn’t think I’d be doing it as soon as this," said Lesley. "I initially thought I’d try and get a job with another company but then I thought, why not at least try my own thing?"

Her `own thing’ is W4D - Women For Design, an interior design practice which offers a wide range of services and to which Lesley is already attracting clients.

She started seriously researching the feasability of starting her own business during her final year, with the support of tutors in the School of Design. After attending Business Gateway evening classes she started to develop her idea and received a huge boost when hers was named Best New Business Idea runner-up in a major competition run by Barclays Bank.

Lesley’s new business will be officially opened at Degree Show 08 by Professor Mike Press, Head of the School of Design, at 5.30 pm tonight. The opening will take place at the Interior & Environmental Design exhibit space on the 5th floor of the Matthew Building, Duncan of Jordanstone College.

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information on W4D see: www.women4design.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk