Swansea masters degree student secures design job with retailer Matalan
Ellie Jones is a final year student on the Design Surface Pattern and Textiles course at Swansea College of Art
A final year masters degree student at Swansea College of Art has secured job with fashion and homeware retailer Matalan.
Ellie Jones, who is studying the Design Surface Pattern and Textiles course, was hired as a designer for the UK high street name after showcasing her work at the prestigious New Designers exhibition in London - an annual showcase of the UK's most innovative emerging talent.
Ellie said: “It was such a valuable opportunity as my work was exposed to a huge number of people, a lot of which were big companies in our design industry, so it was great to get a feel for what it’s like and to speak to people with experience.”
At the end of the design show she was approached by Matalan's Creative Team and offered a four-week placement at their head office in Liverpool, which she completed last summer.
The Career Development bursary from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) - of which Swansea College of Art is part of - covered her accommodation and travel costs for her internship, allowing her to successfully complete the placement by covering the costs of travel and accommodation.
She said: “My favourite part of my design process is image making, I love seeing my ideas come to life.”
Her colourful and playful patterns for wallpapers, interior products, and textiles drew the attention of Matalan's homeware design team and they contacted her in to apply for a newly available position.
Ellie was hired after a rigorous selection process that included an application pack, portfolio review, a one-week design brief and two interviews.
Ellie said: “When Matalan offered me the job in January, I was ecstatic, emotional, and just so excited.
"I couldn’t believe I’d been successful in securing a graduate job before I’d graduated, it took a while to sink in.”
Ellie added: “I was also one of the winners of the Contrado X New Designers competition so my work was featured on physical products at the Contrado stand and I now have an online shop on their website where others can purchase my printed products.”
Georgia McKie, programme manager for the Surface Pattern and Textiles course at UWTSD, said: “Seeing Ellie secure this role at Matalan is such a special moment for the Surface Pattern and Textiles team – we are incredibly proud of her and what she has achieved.
“We wish Ellie all the luck in the world, and we look forward to welcoming her back to share her experiences of employment in the not-too-distant future.”
To see more of Ellie's work, visit her website here.
