Craftspace website designed by Graphic Design students

Craftspace is a development organisation and promoter of craft commissioning exceptional, world-class contemporary craft, connecting creative practice with diverse communities, and promotes the cultural, social and economic value of craft within society.

Craftspace celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2016. Made in the Middle, a selected, touring exhibition of contemporary craft from the Midlands began as the ‘West Midlands Crafts Open’ in 1998 and has been the main constant element in Craftspace’s programme across these 30 years. Some makers have taken part once, some several times.

In the lead up to the next Made in the Middle, to take place in 2016, Craftspace are looking back at the history of this open exhibition and the people involved in it, through an online exhibition. 

Craftspace approached the University to help to design and create the website that will host this history and resource; telling the story of Made in the Middle through its exhibitors from 1988 to the present.

Second year Graphic Design students studying 5VC015 were asked to consider, resolve and visualise the website, launched with a live briefing by Emma Daker from Craftspace and Louise Taylor, an ex-director of Craftspace and also one time director of the Crafts Council. Joined by web design consultant, Tom Mayman they returned to review and judge the student designs.

“We were very impressed by the diversity of approaches and level of ability of the students which made the judging an interesting and enjoyable experience. There was a lot to commend but in the end there could only be one successful design” said Emma

Jeavan Tagger’s design was judged the best and he’ll now be involved in working with Tom to develop and code his work for publication online. He will work alongside Tom learning new skills from an industry perspective and will also spend time working at Craftspace’s offices at The Custard Factory in Birmingham.

Module leader Jeff Leak said,

“It has been a pleasure to work with Craftspace (again!). I was confident that our students would rise to the challenge of such a demanding live brief and am really happy that Jeavon’s design was chosen. There were a lot of very good submissions and it’s been great to work with the students on a web-based assignment and see them flourish.”

We’ll post again when the website goes live!