Modern Memphis interiors

While on a trip to Portugal, BA (Hons) Interior Design Decoration student Chelsea Young fell in love with the array of colours and shapes used in the country's interiors and architecture. This inspiration, teamed with influences back home in London, helped her to develop her stunning final year collection 'Modern Memphis', which culminated with her previous work, landed her a first-class degree.

We caught up with Chelsea, 20, from Watford, who told us more about her collection, the upcoming New Designers show, and advice she would give to others.

Tell us a bit about your final project.

I wanted to use my final project as an opportunity to express my design style and my abilities as a designer. The main outcome of the brief was to produce a collection of 20 wallpapers and furnishing fabrics, as well as showcasing my work on different surfaces and presenting all my final design visualisations in a brochure. My collection is called Modern Memphis; each design has been inspired by my own photography. 

What was the inspiration behind your project? 

When I went to Portugal, I became inspired by the colours and shapes that were being used both in interiors and the architecture. I saw a design style in the architecture and colour palettes that I hadn’t seen before and recorded this all through taking photos, which I then developed and worked into. I then merged influences from the atmosphere back home in London through exploring more contemporary aspects such as fashion on the catwalk and I translated this into my own design style. This led to my collection Modern Memphis, which is my interpretation of a modernised and personal version on the classic Memphis design style. 

What have you enjoyed most about your time at Solent?

I have really enjoyed the journey that I have been on throughout my time at Solent. It has allowed me to grow so much, not only as a designer but also as a person. I started at Solent quite reserved and not very confident in my work; However, I am graduating with a first class degree and I am very proud of everything I have overcome. I learnt to trust the process and that hard work and dedication is rewarded. 

What’s next for you?

From 27-30 June 2018, I am showcasing my work at New Designers in London. I’m hoping to receive a good response from that as I did at the degree show. I am also in talks with the possibility of selling some of my designs but that’s still in the works, although it is exciting! Since my final major project hand in, I have been busy with getting portfolios and my cv prepared. The plan is to wait and see what New Designers has to offer and to then apply for work after. 

What advice do you have for other students?

My advice is that you can do anything that you set your mind to. You need to be dedicated and prepared. There will be sacrifices that you have to make but I promise it will all be worth it in the end. Give it a go - I decided to come to university quite last minute because I was so unsure of what I wanted but I can honestly say that it was the best decision I have made in my life.