Calling all NTU Art and Design students. If you haven’t already discovered the inspirational hub that is Designer Forum, then you are missing out on an invaluable resource just a stones throw away. Tucked comfortably around the outskirts of the bustling Lace Market, Designer Forum is situated at 69-73 Lower Parliament Street, just past Oceana night club.
Catering for designers, freelancers, students, and many well established companies, this organisation offers many services to their members. As well as the fashion and textiles worlds, Designer Forum has exciting plans to expand the business into more creative avenues. Perfect for all you budding visual artists!
In a vibrant, fast past industry, it is essential to be at the cutting edge of design and equally up to date with new trends, innovations and technologies. As the only trend library in the country, it’s a privilege to have this fantastic resource at our fingertips.
We not only secured some exclusive pics from the only trend library in the country, but also an insightful interview with the sales and marketing manager, Nina Faresin, as she talks about trend analysis as well as her personal faves in influences, styles and moods.
Darcy: Hi Nina, how are you today?
Nina: Pretty good, I’ve had a very hectic day as usual. We’re just pulling things together for the Designer Forum window display in time for when all the students come back, as well as dealing with all the usual enquiries from our members.
D: Tell us more about the ins and outs of Designer Forum. What is it exactly?
N: Designer Forum is the only one of its kind. We are a membership organisation supporting creative people who work in Fashion, Textiles, Interiors and Product Design with a range of valuable trend forecasting resources, sourcing, events and recruitment services.
D: Wow, so how were you introduced to Designer Forum? What is your background within the industry?
N: I‘ve worked as a designer for over 20 years myself and regularly used DF, particularly the trend resource. Now I work on the other side of the desk, helping designers and developers find the information they need and point them in the right direction.
D: So how can new and current Art and Design students benefit from this service?
N: We subscribe to publications from leading trend forecasting agencies who accumulate analyses on trends, predictions on colour and on the buzz industry information. NTU students can have access to inspiring and informative resources reported by around 300 expert researchers. This could be on cutting edge innovations, new technologies and materials, cultural happenings or anything significant that is likely to influence design. The list goes on…
One Fashion Communication and Promotion student from Trent said she gathered more research in 2 hours than browsing on Google for a month. So considering that one trend book costs £1200 and our online websites costs £9000 a year to subscribe to, for only £36 annual membership you’re getting a bargain.
D: Amazing, how can Trent students join Designer Forum?
N: Then can either call in person, we’re open five days a week, or drop us an email at enquiries@emtex.org.uk and we’ll send you a form.
It’s free to sign up to receive information from us by email, so send us your details if you want to be on the mailing list.
D: And finally, what does the future hold for Designer Forum?
N: We are looking to expand our resources to reach the rest of the creative industries, and hopefully we’re not too far off having a brand new website which will include member’s areas and job vacancies.
(Follow DF on Twitter @designer_forum and on Facebook, ‘DesignerForum’)
Darcy Summerton
Tags: art and design, designer forum, fashion, nottingham, resources, students
