Chelsea wins public vote in international design competition

A recent Art and Design graduate from the University of Chester has beaten international competition in one of the categories of a virtual global design show.

In response to the end of year show cancellations, brought about due to the pandemic, ARTSTHREAD and i-D launched the first ever online Global Design Graduate Show initiative for all of the students who graduated this year. The competition was open to all Art and Design students graduating in the year 2019-20 (undergraduate and postgraduate) in any related creative discipline, located anywhere in the world. The competition has two stages – a public vote, and then the judges’ decision.

Over 4,000 students uploaded their end of year projects and took part.

Four students from the University have made it to the shortlist for their particular category – more details of each of their entries can be found here – and the judges’ decision is expected to be announced soon.

Members of the public were invited to vote for their choice – and Chelsea Dillon, who studied BA Hons Interior Design, has won the readers’ vote in the Interior Architecture section of the Product/ Architecture/ Interiors category.

Chelsea’s winning project is entitled ‘Decisions of Tomorrow’. As Chelsea explains on her project page: ‘The world in which we live is sadly becoming less, and less wild. The fragile ecosystems in which our planets wildlife exist are under attack. My project is a series of pop up installations that will emerge throughout Chester city centre creating a diverse and exciting trail for people to embark on. It will highlight the challenges and hidden threats our world is currently facing. The installations will then pack up leaving the temporary locations untouched to embark on their next journey to tell the story on a global scale. The installations will focus on each major factor that contributes to the loss of wildlife and habitats that could potentially lead to animal extinction.’

Chelsea said: “Wow – I can’t believe my Decisions of Tomorrow project WON in the Interior Architecture Category! Just knowing the elites in the design industry have noticed my work is beyond more than what I expected, but then to win a vote from the public is just phenomenal.

“Hopefully this project can spread awareness of the issues our world is currently facing, especially as I am a designer who is environmentally conscious. This may encourage other designers and corporations to do the same, by producing a cleaner, sustainable ecosystem, that can not only protect us but also the wellbeing of our endangered animals.

Thank you to:

@i_d

@artsthread

@globaldesigngraduateshow

for showcasing my work on platforms and taking the time to notice my work, which hopefully will help many generations to come. This competition has opened so many more opportunities for me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds as I prepare to take on my MA in Architecture. Also, thank you to everyone who voted, it wouldn’t be possible without you!”

More about Chelsea’s project can be found at:

https://www.artsthread.com/events/gdgs2020/product-architecture-interiors/#/project/decisions-of-tomorrow

Associate Professor Bernadine Murray, Head of the Department of Art and Design, said: “This is a fantastic result for Chelsea and testament to the strength of the project she produced, in its relevance, scope and execution. ARTSTHREAD and this competition have offered a platform to our Art and Design graduating students during a time of local, national and international lockdown, which could have severely limited the audience’s ability to engage with the diverse range of projects produced by our students.Instead, it has provided opportunities to extend the reach of our graduates to a truly global audience. Chelsea’s success amongst international competition evidences the relevance and value of the Interior Design programme at the University of Chester.”

Pictured - Chelsea Dillon