Photo Credit: credit New Designers / Mark Cocksedge
Cameron Pearson, a graduating student from Hereford College of Arts, picked up the top prize at the prestigious New Designers graduate showcase in London.
The artist blacksmith presented a collection of forged sculptures that combine elegant form with geometry and mathematics.
New Designers showcases the UK’s top creative degree graduates to the public – and to gallerists, agents and curators from across the creative industries. This year marks 40 years of the event and Pearson beat out 2,500 graduates to be named the New Designer of the Year.
Judges said: “Cameron’s forged sculptures are beautiful and elegant. He demonstrates complete mastery of his technique using mathematics and symmetry. Outstanding!”
Bringing together technical precision with a dynamic approach to perspective, the low-carbon forms were created as part of Pearson’s final project for his degree in BA(hons) Artist Blacksmithing.
Pearson said: “I am truly honoured to receive this prestigious award. Meeting and speaking with the judges about my craft has been incredibly exciting.
“This opportunity has inspired me to push my practice further, exploring more complex forms of geometry and deepening my knowledge. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the judges involved in selecting me for this year’s New Designer of the Year. It has truly been an unforgettable experience.”
A native of Sutton St Nicholas, Pearson attended St Mary’s RC High School, Lugwardine, and the National School of Blacksmithing before beginning his degree at HCA.
Pearson has been an active member of the HCA community and has previously participated in the city’s international Ferrous Festival celebrating metal arts. Pearson will now continue developing his craft in HCA’s newly launched MA in Forged Metal Arts—the first of its kind in the UK. He will also be exhibiting new original work in Stroud this September as part or Earth, Fire, Iron.
Delyth Done, MBE—Course Leader and Head of the School of Materials and Design—said: “We are delighted that Cameron’s exceptional talent has been recognised at such a high-profile national event. This award is a testament to his dedication, creative brilliance, and innovative approach.
“We are extremely proud of his accomplishments and look forward to the exciting contributions he will make as he continues his journey in our postgraduate Forged Metal Arts programme.”
New Designers, which this year ran from July 3–6 at London’s Business Design Centre, provides top creative graduates with an incredible platform to launch their careers. The showcase included graduating HCA students from across its Contemporary Design Crafts, Textile Design, Jewellery Design, and Artist Blacksmithing degrees.
Their participation was kindly supported by the Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) ensuring that financial constraints do not limit talent and ambition and allowing the college to build on recent success at the event following last year’s New Designers’ Stand of the Year award and Joe Shevelan’s 2023 New Designer of the Year Runner Up prize.
For more information on HCA undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes, visit hca.ac.uk or contact outreach@hca.ac.uk to arrange a campus tour or informal conversation over the summer.
