Premier Digital Textiles proudly launched The Vibrancy in Print Award at the 40th anniversary of New Designers.
To attend and judge during July’s vibrant two-week showcase of the UK’s most exciting graduate talent at London’s Business Design Centre was a privilege.
Witnessing so many talented graduates exhibiting their innovative and creative digital textiles work was inspiring.
Judging and selecting our winner
We created The Vibrancy in Print Award to celebrate originality, innovation and bold use of colour and detail within digital print.
Choosing a winner among a wealth of standout textile prints wasn’t easy.
But after much deliberation between our judging panel it was a delight to announce Beth Lingard , a graduate of Leeds Arts University as the winner.
Beth’s captivating Dusk till Dawn Collection stood out. Her use of colour, detail and digital layering expressed beautifully the shifting moods from dusk to dawn.
Designs that bring stories and emotions to life visually are not easily executed – but Beth’s vibrant, contemporary designs showcased how this can be achieved in digital textile printing.
As the winner Beth landed a £500 cash prize, ongoing mentoring, an exclusive New Designer Spotlight interview, the opportunity to be showcased in OEM demo and experience centres worldwide along with £500 worth of our PrepRITE fabric and print time.
Highly commended graduates
While Beth took the top spot, we were also genuinely impressed by two other graduates who demonstrated exceptional creativity and skill.
Robyn Tilsley , a graduate of De Montfort University , is the creative force behind Electric Bloom — a bold and playful collection that fuses heritage floral motifs with earthy tones and vibrant pops of electric colour. Her work blends traditional craft aesthetics with contemporary digital design, showcasing a strong emphasis on repeat patterns and innovative print techniques.
Another creative journey we look forward to seeing unfold is that of Rebecca Meanwell Designs , a University of Staffordshire graduate. Rebecca’s Indoor Garden collection used soft, layered prints inspired by nature and interiors — showing a sensitive and confident use of colour and print techniques.
Selecting the winner and highly commended graduates was tough due to the overall standard of work being so high.
But while tough, it was also highly rewarding.
Investing in the future of textile design
The process of launching The Vibrancy in Print Award and engaging with emerging designers has further reinforced Premier Digital Textiles’ commitment to supporting our industry’s future talent.
Without fresh perspectives, bold ideas and innovative use of digital print technology our sector will not forward with as much purpose and vibrancy.
Personal reflections on New Designers 2025
I left New Designers feeling energised and inspired.
Meeting the graduates in person gave me a true sense of their passion, dedication and curiosity. The atmosphere throughout was one of excitement and there was an infectious fearless spirit of creativity and ambition.
A standout for me was how confidently these emerging designers embraced digital technology — not just as a tool, but as a powerful medium to express ideas and challenge traditional boundaries.
It reinforced how important it is to support and nurture new waves of talent. Helping them bring their visions to life and make their mark on a global stage.
For Premier Digital Textiles to play a part in that journey is one myself, our judging panel and company are super proud of.
As for Beth, Robyn, Rebecca and all the brilliant graduates who showcased their work to us – we can’t wait to see how your journeys unfold.