The Society of Designer Craftsmen was founded by Walter Crane and William Morris and is proud to have some of the most innovative, talented and skilled craftspeople in the country as members. They promote and support the work of designer-makers working across craft disciplines including Ceramics, Wood, Metal, Glass and Textiles, through exhibitions, workshops and mentoring.

A registered charity, the SDC is run by a dedicated Council of craft professionals – all volunteers. Their President is Sir Christopher Frayling.

Their objectives are to:
• Foster public understanding of craft by encouragement and promotion of design excellence and fine craftsmanship
• Maintain and enhance high standards of design and craftsmanship
• Encourage training and education of new and young Designer Craftspeople

The SDC are looking for some truly great people to strengthen their presence and raise awareness of their work. They are urgently seeking outstanding individuals for the following volunteer roles who enjoy making a worthwhile contribution.

Chair
A natural motivator to lead and direct the Council of Trustees and be an ambassador for the Society in the wider circles of the designer maker and craft community. They will lead the Society in its exciting and ambitious growth and development plan while ensuring the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law etc.

Anticipated commitment: minimum 3-7 days/month Continue reading →

Sales & Design Manager Maternity Cover Role.
The Bristol Weaving Mill Ltd.
Role to commence in August 2020 under a fixed-term contract

BWM are looking for a creative and technically confident woven textile designer with product development and sales experience, and the ability to manage project timelines with meticulous attention to detail. The successful applicant will work to nurture and maintain client relationships through pro-active and responsive communication and design work. This role involves overseeing and managing sales, design, and manufacturing schedules for new and on-going projects.

Bristol Weaving Mill  work across both fashion and interiors, designing, developing and manufacturing woven products and fabric for a variety of outcomes. End uses include but are not limited to Ready to Wear and Couture Menswear and Womenswear fabrics, finished shawls and scarfs, interior drapery, tapestry panels, upholstery fabric and finished interior soft accessories and products such as throws, blankets and cushions.

From their largest commercial client to their smallest personal project, each of their client relationships is based on offering a service catered to their individual needs. Most of their customers seek not only the small-batch and locally managed production capabilities of the mill but are also looking to for BWM to provide input and direction creatively, offering technical advice where necessary.

This job will involve working closely and strategically on sales, building upon the existing client
relationships and establishing new ones. In particular, the role will involve management of key client accounts and overseeing commercial design and manufacturing of finished woven products for home interiors. The successful applicant will need to be an excellent communicator and extremely organised with impeccable attention to detail and quality.

As a designer, the ability to assume the aesthetic identity of a wide range of clients is essential. They should be able to handle multiple projects at once, while maintaining excellent communication with customers and colleagues. The ability to self-motivate and work independently as well as in a team is essential.

Continue reading →

Araminta Campbell
Embracing traditional craftsmanship and timeless design, Araminta Campbell create textiles that express Scotland’s natural beauty and weaving heritage.

As a small team of designers and artisans, they keep things personal and put quality at the heart of everything they do.

Their mission is to create beautiful products that stand the test of time as well as helping to sustain the traditional skills, rural suppliers and talented craftspeople of the British Isles.

From their weaving studio in Edinburgh they hand craft their Signature collection of British alpaca accessories as well as offering Minta, their contemporary interiors line and the Heritage bespoke tweed and tartan service. Continue reading →

Designer Vacancy
Asiatic London is looking for an in-house designer to work at their London head office 4 to 5 days a week. The successful applicant will be creating designs for their own collections as well as for their clients.

This role would be suited to a Textiles Graduate with strong attention to detail, an ability to work in a broad spectrum of styles and have an eye for colour. Strong Photoshop and Illustrator skills are extremely important, along with good hand drawing skills.

The successful applicant will work closely with the product development team but will also need to be able to work independently. Continue reading →

Role: Senior Woven Textile Designer
Start Date: Early October 2019
Duration: Fixed term (12 months)

Fox Brother & Co Ltd are a leading UK manufacturer of luxury, high quality fabrics. This established woven textile company, based in South West England is seeking a senior designer to join the design team.

Job description
Reporting to the managing director and the operations director you will be responsible for:
*Designing collections and ranges in line with creative briefs, while working closely with the design team.
*Understanding customer requirements, working closely to their briefs and their deadlines.
*Continually researching and analysing new yarn and fabric opportunities ensuring alignment with the seasonal demands and the every-changing market.
*Successfully keeping to critical path, seeing projects from initial concept to finished cloth.
*Protecting and projecting the mills heritage and identity as a brand ambassador with customers and on social media.
*Working closely with internal production team.
*Communicating proactively with suppliers on design based issues.
*Foreseeing and resolving problems that arise during and after the development of fabric.

The Person/Requirements 
The role requires a high level of technical knowledge of woven textiles, development expertise and a good comprehension of testing requirements. Commercial understanding of yarns, dyeing and fabric finishing is necessary.

Ideally you will have a level 5 qualification or above with substantial industry experience, along with a high level of commercial awareness and creativity.

You must be able work on multiple projects, work well under pressure and be proactive in your approach. You will be effective in problem solving. Strong communication skills and the ability to influence and negotiate is essential.

The role will require travel to London and mainland Europe to liaise with customers and work at international trade fairs.

Please contact Joanna Neades Joanna@foxflannel.com for more information

Humphries Weaving Account Manager
The Company
Humphries Weaving is a distinguished British manufacturer of custom Jacquard fabrics, gaining an international reputation for designing and weaving fine furnishings for historical restorations and the high end decorator market. They combine historical expertise and academic research with evolving weaving techniques to produce impeccable fabric design.

Humphries pride themselves on having the imagination to deliver a client’s vision; their patience, knowledge and expertise of colour, design and woven construction guides them to create innovative contemporary textiles and accurate historic reproductions.

This is an exciting career opportunity to join our small and ambitious team, allowing you to combine your creative approach and commercial acumen. Continue reading →

For Arts Sake is part of the Orkney Creative Hub, a community enterprise that provides support for artists and creators in Orkney. They offer studio space for artists, run workshops and classes, and have an open gallery space where artists can exhibit their work.

Project Description
There is now a fantastic opportunity for a 12-month graduate placement to help re-introduce weaving on Orkney, by developing a range of workshops and promoting weaving throughout the community.

Role Description
The successful candidate will aim to revive weaving skills, ensuring the craft is retained as part of Orkney’s heritage.
Specific tasks of the placement will include:
• Weave sample cloth.
• Set up a series of regular workshops.
• Design and develop a digital marketing strategy to promote the workshops.
• Hold several events throughout Orkney to showcase weaving.
• Set up external tutor led workshops.
• Establish links with local businesses and college.
• Run tours of the facilities, linking in with the cruise ship market.
• Establish the facility as a destination for tourists.
• Review of marketing activities.
• Identify future opportunities to build on.
• Create handover document.

The graduate will be based at the Orkney Creative Hub, based in Kirkwall.
This position is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.
Continue reading →

Oscha Slings Ltd – Loanhead EH20

Oscha Slings is a small, growing business based in Loanhead, near Edinburgh. They produce  baby slings with a focus on comfort and elegance. They are an ethical company, using natural and organic yarns, existing to promote the benefits of baby carrying and child development. They are looking for a weave designer / product developer to join the friendly, fast-paced and adaptable team.

Oscha Slings are seeking a creative person with strong technical knowledge and experience. The applicant must have a detailed working knowledge of jacquard and dobby loom weave as well as yarn counts and compositions. You will work with their Mill to develop new, exciting products and be part of the Design, Sales & Marketing team, working together to develop innovative seasonal products in-line with customer needs. Continue reading →