8 July 2009

Jewellery graduate strikes gold

A Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design graduate is celebrating after today receiving one of the UK’s most illustrious awards for emerging jewellery designers.

Hannah Livingston (22) was one of 14 of this year’s graduates from the Jewellery & Metal Design programme at DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee, taking part in the prestigious New Designers exhibition in London.

Her finely crafted silver box necklaces with hidden compartments that recognise the love of sentimental objects beat off competition from graduates of art schools across the country to win The Goldsmiths’ Company New Designers Award for Jewellery.

Hannah received a cheque for £1,000 plus vouchers for precious metal to the value of £500. She will also take a place on ‘Getting Started’, Goldsmiths’ Company’s annual graduate business course, and be awarded £200 worth of hallmarking services.

Hannah, originally from Dingwall, graduated with a first class honours degree last month. She will use her prize money to help establish a workshop where she can design and make jewellery, and said she was delighted with the award.

'I was completely shocked when I first heard my name get announced, but I think it’s sunk in now and I’m very happy,' she said.

'The money will come in very handy as setting up a workshop is expensive, and getting a place on the Getting Started course will also help me a lot.'

'Hopefully this will bring a lot of attention to the Duncan of Jordanstone stand and more people will see the others’ designs.'

For 24 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.

Hannah’s award tops one of the most successful ever years for the Jewellery & Metal Design programme with students picking up a string of awards, and a record amount of first class honours degrees being awarded.

The programme has established a strong reputation for generating individual and innovative new designers, and five students graduated with first class honours in 2009. It can also boast no fewer than 18 local and national awards won by students over the past year.

Jewellery & Metal Design programme director Dr Sandra Wilson congratulated Hannah 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 Hannah to have won it is wonderful,' she said. 'It really isn’t a surprise, however, as her work is absolutely first class. This award is the perfect way for her to launch her career as a self-employed designer-maker.

'It is also a fantastic reflection on the degree programme, and we’re delighted with Hannah’s achievements.'

'This years graduates have raised the bar and are an inspiration to the students in first, second and third year, showing what can be achieved with hard work.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk