Colin Henderson (London, UK)

 
23-year-old designer Colin Henderson describes his work as "ruggish", because his bold, modern and tribal-inspired design may remind you of a magic carpet. Having studied illustration at Brighton University and now in London, Henderson creates multi-coloured, ethnic- and textile- informed designs, and whether they're hand-drawn, digitally illustrated or cut-and-paste, the results are breathtaking. He has also created one-off prints and designs for T-shirts and clothing, and undertaking several special projects, in fields that range from from books to music videos.

The designer has always had an interest in the native art of global cultures. "My mum's Vietnamese and my dad worked and travelled around Africa," he explains. "So the house I grew up in had lots of artefacts, photos and folk art from these places." Textiles are also a big inspiration."My grandmother knits just about everything and used to make carpets," he says. "Her house is filled with lots of old rug and carpet reference books." Finding himself naturally drawn to the abstract and surreal patterning used in Turkish, Asian and Navajo rugs and carpets, Henderson has always loved embroidered, woven, knitted and printed fabric design."It's the craft aspect and uniquenessof hand-made textiles," he enthuses. "It's knowing that people poured so much of their time into making these beautiful objects." Another signature trait is his vivid use of colour.  "I like the simplicity and constraint of using a few colours within a grid."

He is currently working with the illustrator and director Daniel Brereton under the name Yo!Fest. The duo share a studio and are in the process of creating a fictional world called Yo!Ville which will be the setting for a book/zine to be published later this year. Citing the playful children's illustrator Richard Scarry as one of his favourite artists, along with the more serious and mathematical MC Escher, Henderson mixes craft with light-hearted humour and plans to extend his work into embroidery and knitwear.