Degree Show 2024
Olivia Ellen Maria Taylor
BA Textile Design
Olivia Taylor is a final-year Textile Design (Inds) student specialising in print design, who has developed a keen interest in interior design during her industry placement year. Her final project explores the revival of early 20th-century design, specifically drawing inspiration from the key art movements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Olivia’s work is grounded in extensive research on colour, print, pattern, and architecture, blending historical influences with contemporary design elements.
This experimental photography series explores light, shadow and paper manipulation using intricate laser-cut constructs inspired by early 20th-century motifs. Layers of coloured paper, bonded through stitching create a captivating interaction of depth and colour, highlighting the delicate relationship of illumination and form.
Taylor’s series of four gouache paintings is inspired by the Art Deco movement, characterised by geometric forms, bold colours, and modernity. Each composition carefully considers the placement of form and colour to create dynamic movement within the artwork. The painting aims to depict the interplay between colour and abstract forms, evoking a sense of motion and visual excitement.
The collection features a selection of print designs for the interior design sector, drawing inspiration from early 20th-century design elements such as natural and geometric forms. These designs were crafted to create intricate compositions, enlightened by trend forecasting and revival research. As a contemporary designer, it was important to utilise both traditional and modern technologies to achieve innovative and efficient results throughout the collection.