Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) is pleased to have supported Hereford College of Arts (HCA) students’ attendance at the New Designers show in London over several years and at other graduate shows since 2018.

New Designers is an annual showcase of the UK’s most innovative emerging design talent. Since its inception 40 years ago, it has provided a platform for over 3,000 graduates to present their visionary ideas to industry professionals and the public every year. 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.

This year, a graduating student from Hereford College of Arts, picked up the top prize at the prestigious New Designers graduate showcase in London.

Cameron Pearson beat 2,500 graduates to be named the ‘New Designer of the Year 2025’.

The artist blacksmith presented a collection of forged sculptures that combine elegant form with geometry and mathematics. 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. Inspired by the principles of both Euclidian and Ideal geometry, Pearson begins each sculpture as a 2D composition based on the fundamental rules of lines and shapes. Through precise rotations—90°, 180°, and 270°—these designs are transformed into dynamic 3D forms, each crafted as a single piece of forged steel.

Pearson said: “I am truly honoured to receive this prestigious award and 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. I cannot thank Herefordshire Community Foundation enough for all the support provided, as it enables students like Cameron to attend New Designers and achieve such remarkable successes.”

By supporting students to attend New Designers, HCF helps Herefordshire students showcase their talents on a national and international stage. The support has meant that financial constraints do not limit talent and ambition and allows 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.

Bridie Sullivan, our CEO states, “This is a fantastic achievement and a true testament to Cameron’s talent. While the accolade is his, Herefordshire Community Foundation is proud to have played a supporting role. We’re committed to nurturing the potential of local young people and take great pride in celebrating their success.”

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.

HCF has a number of funds that support the arts and has been instrumental in supporting HCA set up and manage donations from the Bassnet family to support artist blacksmiths. You can find out more about this new fund in our news item.