A NORTH EAST writer is drawing on the talents of local designers to help illustrate her first children’s story books.

UTHOR Kiran Kaur has enlisted BTEC Extended Diploma in Graphic Design students from Cleveland College of Art &

Design to bring the characters in her rhyming books, The Draught and Puddle in a Muddle, to life. Kiran, 28, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, who began writing four years ago, said, “The inspiration for my first book all stemmed from telling my daughter ‘don’t let the draught in’ when she was coming in the house. “She didn’t really understand and was a bit scared about letting in a ‘draught’ as though it were some kind of monster. “This gave me an idea so I started to put some thoughts together on paper and produced my first short story about an imaginary mischievous monster dreamt up by a five-year-old girl called Poppy.”

“It was great to find CCAD right on my doorstep, bursting with talented young designers.” Author Kiran Kaur But being a busy mum of two Kiran’s handwritten stories were eventually put to one side and slowly began to gather dust.

“It was four years before I looked at them again and it was only when reading them to a neighbour, who suggested that I post them on the internet, that I got a call from a US publisher,” said Kiran. “They were really interested in my copy and after I sent them some more of my work they agreed to publish the first two stories but wanted pictures to accompany the text.” Going on line to find someone who could help with her illustrations, Kiran stumbled upon a news story about a Cleveland College of Art & Design student who’d had their artwork published. “It was great to find CCAD right on my doorstep, bursting with talented young designers, and after meeting lecturer Tom Burton I knew that I’d come to the right place.”

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Author Kiran Kaur with CCAD illustration lecturer Tom Burton and illustration student Blue Lunn, 17, of Saltburn

An illustration for the character of Poppy

For details on courses available at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or visit www.ccad.ac.uk.

With a list of visual and physical characteristics of The Draught and Poppy ten students were set the task of researching and sketching their ideas to be presented to Kiran. “When Kiran got in touch I thought that this would be an excellent live brief for our students,” said CCAD Graphic Design Illustration pathway lecturer Tom. “The illustration pathway is a brand new course offered to our second year graphic design students

and having just completed a project on creating monsters they were already in the right creative mindset. “We decided to set the brief as a competition with the winner’s illustrations being used in the final publication and the standard of work that each of the students produced has been phenomenal.” The Draught is set for worldwide distribution this summer with the possibility of an animated series being developed in the future. The winner will be chosen by Kiran Kaur in February when all the students have had the opportunity to sketch their ideas for her second book. The Draught is set for worldwide distribution this summer with the possibility of an animated series being developed in the future. “I definitely made the right decision coming to CCAD,” said Kiran. “What I have seen so far has been amazing – the standard has been so high. “I initially had a picture in mind of what I thought the characters would be like but these young designers have really opened my mind to new possibilities and it is going to be an incredibly hard decision to choose just one winner.” Illustration student Blue Lunn, 17, of Saltburn, added: “It is very exciting having such a high profile brief. “It is quite difficult to come up with ideas that match the clients but we have been given a lot of freedom to put our own stamp on the work. “Winning a competition and seeing your work published all over the world would be an incredible honour.”

An illustration for The Draught

CCAD illustration lecturer Tom Burton

Tom Burton and Blue Lunn

CULTURE lovers are to be offered a taste of the orient with an insight into contemporary Asian arts. For details on courses available at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or visit www.ccad.ac.uk.

LEVELAND College of Art & Design’s Hartlepool Campus is to open its doors to the public on January 23 to attend a series

of lectures and a photographic exhibition on The Creative Genius of Japan, with design historian Malcolm Clements and photographer Richard Whitehead. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to purchase unique hand-made works of art throughout the day at an all-day craft market run by design students fundraising for their end of year degree show. Contextual studies co-ordinator at CCAD Malcolm, who specialises in the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th century, said: “We have now completed our move into the fantastic municipal building here in Hartlepool and this will be a great opportunity to show off exactly what goes on here. “I’ve always had an interest in Japanese decora-tive arts, culture and aesthetics and how they influenced western design in the late 19th century. “We have built up quite a collection of Japanese decorative arts at the college including Kutani

wares, cloisonné, Kimono and textiles which visitors will be able to view and handle on the day.” Malcolm’s lecture will concentrate on the genius of Japanese design, focussing on examples from the Meijii period, 1868-1912 and celebrating the craftsmen who created objects of functional beauty, such as ceramics, metalwork, textiles and lacquer work.

“We have now completed our move into the fantastic municipal building here in Hartlepool and this will be a great opportunity to show off exactly what goes on here.” Malcolm Clements The talk, which will take place in the college’s Jacobean revival lecture room, will follow another by CCAD photography lecturer Richard Whitehead on his work as a photographer and his current inspirational images of Japan. “I have a very personal interest in Japanese culture and close family links to the country itself,” said Richard, whose photographic work has been published by magazines, newspapers and journals across the world. “Many things appeal to me about the Japanese way of life; their fastidious attention to detail, their culture, love of tradition and of course their exquisite art. “The photographs made in Japan were taken on my last visit to Tokyo, in April this year, depicting the cherry tree blossoms, which in Japan symbolise the transient nature of life. “The 20 images that I will be exhibiting are part of a greater body of work that responds to my own personal involvement with an appreciation of the country’s culture.” Richards’s lecture will also cover his early photographic work, his time as a photo-journalist, some of his travelogues and his latest work as a photographer. It will be followed by an opening of his exhibition in the Folio Gallery, Church Square, Hartlepool, later in the evening.

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Escapism—by Jenny Robinson

Cleveland College of Art & Design photographer Richard Whitehead with his images of Japanese cherry blossom

Up-and-coming artists are joining forces to showcase their wares in cyberspace offering the world an insight into the raw talent being honed in the North-East. “You have to be yourself out there and push yourself as an artist. You have to make people aware of your work and that is what NEUA is designed to do”. Stephen Irving

HREE former Cleveland College of Art & Design students have joined the ranks of a dozen artists exhibiting their work on the

on-line gallery www.neua.co.uk. For Tiffany Bellwood the initiative provides the chance to show off her textile artwork and grow her reputation as a serious artist. “I have always been interested in art since I was little; there is nothing more I want to do and I really want to push my work,” said the 25-year-old, of Billingham, who graduated from CCAD four years ago with a national diploma in fashion and a BA Hons degree in textile and surface design. “I am currently working in administration for an engineering company in Wynyard but spend all of my spare time on my art.” Tiffany’s work is inspired by locations which she captures on canvas and develops using a variety of media, from masking tape to cotton, stitching and paint, giving a unique layered effect. She has been joined on the site by other ex-CCAD students including extreme photographer Lucinda Grange, of Hartlepool, who specialises in taking shots from unusual places, such as the crow’s nest of the sailing shipping Trincomalee, sewers, from the top of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York and in war zones such as Mali. Urban photographer Sam Wood, of Darlington, who is currently studying photography at university, is also featured on the site highlighting the region’s industrial landscape. They have teamed up with site developer and artist Stephen Irving, originally of Wallsend, now living in Eaglescliffe. He said: “You have to be yourself out there and push yourself as an artist. You have to make people

aware of your work and that is what NEUA is designed to do as it provides a platform to show off your work. “Many artists are like Tiffany and have to work to make a living. We can act as a middleman and shout about their art for them. Being on-line over-comes the issue of physical space and having to be on gallery waiting lists.” Stephen also helps arrange events and exhibitions to promote the artists, including Looka Teesside, a two day festival of North-East art and culture being planned for June in Stockton, backed by Stockton Council, mima and Love Stockton. “This will shine the spotlight on local art and culture with bands, shows, films and exhibitions,” said Stephen. “We want to take over any empty shops and create galleries to show off the creative talent Teesside has to offer. “This area may have suffered in the past from a decline in traditional industries but we have a huge creative sector that is starting to develop and grow, of which everyone is becoming more aware. CCAD is certainly helping to create some very talented people who we want to showcase.”

T Artist Stephen Irving with former CCAD student Tiffany Bellwood

Former CCAD student Tiffany Bellwood

A TALENTED photographer is hoping to see his career soar after landing a high flying commission for an international airline.

IGHTEEN year-old Jonathans Cox’s photographs of passengers departing on Jet 2’s Newcastle to New York flight were

chosen as the winning entry for the aviation company’s annual competition. The Cleveland College of Art & Design BTEC Foundation Diploma student was approached to document the transatlantic voyage after representatives from the airline viewed examples of his work online.

“Being just 18 it’s important that I grab as many career breaks as possible and this was an incredible opportunity to work with such a prestigious client.” Jonathan Cox “I was contacted on Facebook and asked if I would take pictures of one of four special flights to New York which the airline put on once a year,” said Jonathan, of Ingleby Barwick. “I was asked to bring along my passport and then basically let loose within the Jet 2 terminal to photograph staff, check in, passengers waiting at the departure gates and people boarding the plane. “It was a shame I didn’t get to go on the actual flight itself but I did get to use the intercom system on the plane to instruct everyone and to photograph the pilot in the cockpit.”

The New York flight is one of four transatlantic flights commissioned by Jet2 each year from airports in East Midlands, Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle. Airline staff from each region compete to put on the best passenger experience, with check in desks decorated as Central Park, bell boys to help with luggage and bucks fizz on arrival. Photographs from each region are then sent to head office to decide upon the winning airport. “The airline wanted the pictures the next day so I was straight back into college to download and process them,” said Jonathan. “It was two weeks before I heard anything then I got a text to let me know that my pictures had helped Newcastle win the competition. “As well as getting my accredited photographs put on the company website they also sent me a full hamper of wine, chocolate and sweets.

E Cleveland College of Art & Design Student Jonathan Cox with one of his winning Jet 2 photographs

internet and they sent me some of their items to photograph. “Its great experience all backed up with practical and academic teaching that I get here at CCAD. “I’d love to do photography full time and am hoping to go on and do my degree in Commercial Photography at the College’s Hartlepool campus.” CCAD art and design lecturer Andrew Edwards added: “Jonathan is so passionate and dedicated about photography and has a real ability to express himself through the camera. “He now has a big client on his portfolio which will make a huge difference to his ability to get additional work and will open up even more opportunities before he graduates.”

For details on courses available at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or visit

www.ccad.ac.uk

CCAD student Jonathan Cox with lecturer Andrew Edwards

To see more of Jonathans’ work log on to www.jonathancox photo.com

“Being just 18 it’s important that I grab as many career breaks as possible and this was an incredible opportunity to work with such a prestigious client.” Jonathan is also set to strengthen his links with the Big Apple in the coming year after being asked to shoot a clothes campaign for a New York based fashion brand. Downtown New York, which specialise in street wear, has asked the young photographer to shoot a selection of hats for its spring summer line.

“Jonathan is so passionate and dedicated about photography and has a real ability to express himself through the camera. He now has a big client on his portfolio which will make a huge difference to his ability to get work .” CCAD tutor Andrew Edwards “It’s all about networking,” said Jonathan. “I liked the brand so contacted them over the

ASPIRING young designers have been drawing up plans for the future with expert guidance on gaining access to higher education.

UNDREDS of A-Level and BTEC art students from across the North East descended on mima, Middlesbrough’s

Institute of Modern Art, for free workshop sessions and impartial advice to help them gain a place at university. Hosted by Cleveland College of Art & Design, the Portfolio Advice Day is part of a wider initiative begun by University of the Arts London (UAL) and is aimed at students with no family background in higher education.

“The North East has the lowest higher education participation rate in the country, CCAD’s Portfolio Advice Day is set to become an annual event with more schools and colleges from across the region getting involved.” Jackie McManus Head of widening participation programmes at UAL Jackie McManus set up Portfolio Advice Day eight years ago, aimed at students from working class backgrounds, specifically those whose parents did not attend university, to give them the information and tools they need to win a place on an art and design degree course.

“It was apparent to us that students from more privileged backgrounds seemed able to access the advice they needed to increase their chances of gaining a university place,” she said. “So this programme was specifically designed to help even out the playing field.

Cleveland College of Art & Design students Caitlin Brame, 17, of Northallerton, Adam Shaw, 20, of Stockton and Sophie Babor-Puplett, 18, of Stockton, who are hoping to gain places at university with CCAD staff member Carl Rosati

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Students at CCADs PAD Day

“Initially PAD started out in London but being a Northern girl myself, from Saltburn, I wanted to develop it nationally and bring it home to Teesside.” Tutors and industry professionals from universities on Teesside and in Sunderland, York and London, spent the day creating fresh new work. They also delivered invaluable advice on editing and presenting portfolios, course structures and working towards a career in the creative industries, covering a range of disciplines such as fine art, fashion and textiles, design, illustration and photography. CCAD PAD project co-ordinator Nicky Peacock said: “CCAD is delighted to be partnering UAL, Tate Britain and mima in helping students from non-traditional backgrounds to access higher education. “I was the first person in

my family to study in higher education and whilst I had encouragement, I had no access to relevant knowledge, so I certainly understand how helpful an event like this can be. I think it would have made a world of difference to me at 17.” With the North East having the lowest higher education participation rate in the country, CCAD’s Portfolio Advice Day is set to become an annual event with even more schools and colleges from across the region getting involved. “My aspirations were always to go into higher education and I didn’t want to be part of another generation that missed out on going university.” Adam Shaw CCAD fine art student Adam Shaw, 20, of Stockton, said: “I grew up being told that going to university wasn’t important and that getting a job or a career was. “But my aspirations were always to go into higher education and I didn’t want to be part of another generation that missed out on going university. “I want to set a new pattern for a new generation, gain more knowledge and travel the world and university will be my ticket to doing that.”

For more information on CCAD courses contact (01642) 288888 or visit www.ccad.ac.uk

A TEXTILE designer is going animal crackers after her doggy designs were given the celebrity lick of approval.

ORLDWIDE orders for Diane Watson’s Naughty Dog canine cushions have been pouring in after stylist to the stars Gok

Wan tweeted his appreciation of Diane’s pet portrait of his French bulldog Dolly. Diane, 44, of Seaton Carew, a textile lecturer at Cleveland College of Art & Design (CCAD), made her first cushion of her brother Stephen’s dog Ollie for a gift two years ago but has now seen her hobby grow into a global business.

“I was amazed when Gok tweeted ‘Wow’ about the cushion to his million and a half followers and since then orders have gone through the roof .” Diane Watson “It really wasn’t planned to start out as anything big,” said Diane. “When Ollie passed away I thought it would be a nice gesture to make something to remind Stephen of him. “A friend then saw it and wanted one, then they showed it to someone else who wanted one and it sort of snowballed from there. “The name Naughty Dog came from Stephen’s second dog Dillon the Saluki who ate my brand new pyjamas.”

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Cleveland College of Art & Design textile lecturer Diane Watson with one of her stuffed cloth dogs

Above: Gok Wan’s tweet to his million and a half followers Diane with her first cushion of brother Stephen's dog Ollie

Cushions and canvasses by Diane Watson

Diane was encouraged to start selling her cushions through the online handmade craft marketplace Etsy. “I was making about two cushions a month and also selling them through some smaller galleries,” said Diane. “It wasn’t a great money spinner but it was regular work on top of my teaching.” In October 2102, as orders gradually built up, Diane took some of her designs to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester along with some stuffed cloth dogs, canvasses and drawings. “I sold enough that day to pay for my stall, my hotel and for dinner but more importantly I did make some fantastic connections” said Diane. “I was approached by two ladies from the designer craft website ‘What I always Wanted’ who asked me if I would be interested

in selling online with them. “They arranged to do some publicity for me and asked if I would make a cushion with Gok’s dog Dolly on it so they could send it to him. “I was amazed when he tweeted ‘Wow’ about the cushion to his million and a half followers and since then orders have gone through the roof with people wanting pictures of their own dogs, cats, horses, even pigeons put on cushions. I’ve also done one for the presenter Paul O’Grady with a picture of his Shih Tzu Olga on it. “I’ve gone from making two a month to making at least one a day and orders are already piling in for this year. “I’ve got customers from America, Australia, New Zealand and Italy in fact I sent a cushion with two cats on it to a swanky Manhattan apartment last week – my cushions travel to better places than I do.” To see more of Diane’s work log on to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naughty-Dog/473831289301918 http://www.etsy.com/shop/florencev4 http://www.whatialwayswanted.com/m58/Naughty-Dog/index.html

For more information on CCAD courses contact

(01642) 288888.

Diane puts the finishing touches to her work

Above: Paul O’Grady’s dog Olga and Diane’s portrait cushion