Eily O’Connell graduated in 2008 from NCAD with a Bachelor Degree in Craft Design. She took part in the New Designers exhibition in London in July of 2008 and in a recent interview we asked Eily to share her experience of getting ready for New Designers and how it benefited her.
New Designers is an exhibition that runs in London for two weeks in July. It showcases the work and talent of the next generation of British designers. The exhibition also attracts Irish graduates.
Eily first heard about the New Designers exhibition from her tutor Seliena Coyle in her third year at college, when she advised her students to go and visit the exhibition in order to see the standard of design from their English competitors. Eily headed to London on a reconnaissance mission. She was “amazed at the great opportunity it was, to market new work and to make important contacts.” She made her decision then, that she would take part the following year and she wasn’t alone, a number of other students in her class also decided to exhibit. As this was her first exhibition and one week after her degree show the pressure was on. I asked Eily to describe her experience of getting ready for the exhibition and what it was like talking about herself and her work to visitors at her stand.
Getting ready was a huge learning experience in that good pre planning and preparation is VITAL. It’s like anything really; preparation is the key ingredient to most things if you want them to run well and smoothly, especially when in another country!! Then the experience of talking with visitors was invaluable. I found it quite hard talking about my work and explaining it in an understandable way that didn’t sound like nonsense, so after the first day of literally talking to hundreds of people non stop about my concept and process, I soon got over that.
RC: How did the exhibition benefit you?
EOC: The exhibition benefited me in sooooo many ways. I got to meet my competition, I made contact with all the major galleries from all around England and some from Europe also, Lesley Craze Gallery in London now stock my work, I got four exhibitions from it, one was in Eindhoven and from that I got offered to show my work in an auction run by Pierre Berge in Brussels so I am in that next Christmas. Even learning about doing a fair and seeing how much hard work is involved is an eye opener but definitely worth it!
RC: What promotional material did you bring with you?
EOC: I had business cards, postcards and I had a package that included pictures of my work, a CV, and a statement. I also brought along the metals catalogue which myself and Niamh Spain designed for our Degree show. A lot of people had no idea that there was a jewellery course in Ireland.
RC: Was it an expensive experience?
EOC: Well, the space we had cost us about €600 each and then lighting was about another €80 each. I was fortunate enough that my brother lives in London so I got my accommodation free but otherwise you would be paying that too! But it was worth every penny.
RC: What support if any did you receive from the college?
EOC:I asked the college for assistance as most colleges fully support their students for this exhibition sending their technicians with the students to help set up and man stands etc. but the four of us who went over to exhibit did everything ourselves. Seliena Coyle, our tutor then, came over for two days and helped but this was out of her own time. The college didn’t have anything to do with it at all. I hope that in future they will consider supporting the students after seeing what a benefit it was to us.
RC: I noticed there is a “one-year on” zone on the New Designers website. Would you take part in the exhibition again?
EOC:Yes there is a one-year on but I decided not to do it this year. I am doing Origin Craft fair this year and have a lot of other exhibitions coming up. One of the other girls who exhibited with me, Claire Mc Alister is doing it though!
RC: After spending a year out of college and in the industry you have gained a lot of knowledge and experience. Reflecting back on your experience at New Designers if you were to do it again what would you do differently?
EOC: I think all ran smoothly thank goodness so no there is nothing I would do differently!
RC: Would you encourage other graduates to do the exhibition?
EOC: Without a shadow of doubt, it is the best eye opening experience/ launch pad for anyone breaking into the world of craft!
RC: If so, what piece of advice would you give them that you wished someone had given you?
EOC: Do it no matter how much hassle you think it will be, it will all be worth it; Prepare, prepare, PREPARE; bring a lot of business cards too; And finally, enjoy it!
Eily is currently working with 6 other graduates in an exciting new project set up by Waterford VEC. They are involved in the renovation of a fabulous building which is being converted into metal and glass studios called the “Workhouse Studios”. As well as studio space, they also receive business training in setting up a craft business. For more information on Eily and to see her portfolio of work browse her portfolio space www.risecreatives.ie/eilyoconnell