A YOUNG textile designer from Tenby who recently graduated from Carmarthenshire College has just won an award after having her work exhibited at the InteriorsUK trade show in Birmingham's NEC.

Sian O'Doherty was shortlisted for her work after entering the New Design Britain Competition shortly after completing her degree at Carmarthenshire College last year in BA Contemporary Textiles,

"There were four categories to the competition - fabrics, furniture, surface covering and furnishing accessories, and I was thrilled to find out that I was one of the finalists and would be exhibiting at the InteriorsUK trade show at the NEC in January with my woven and digital fabrics, titled Perceived Perceptions," explained Sian.

"I had such a great time at the show and was thrilled to be awarded the Fabrics award with my woven and digital designs following judging on the Monday.

"With the award I was given a years membership to ACID (anti copying in design) which as a member will help protect me against IP infringement, while I was also given a work placement within the industry, which is yet to be finalised," she continued.

For her work, Sian had been drawn to creating a textile collection that incorporates optical illusions, whereby her creations at second inspection reveal themselves differently, and are not what they first seem.

Her initial inspiration came from Google earth images, drawing reference from the patterns and vibrant colours created by estuaries.

Her Welsh heritage is also apparent in many of her designs where she draws reference to historical Welsh textiles.

Keeping in mind the aspect of optical illusions, Sian digitally developed her woven creations into new patterns that would be impossible literally to weave, but significantly look like weaves. She utilises modern technology to develop her woven creations into new dimensions, thus providing opportunities for maintaining handmade crafts yet with the possibilities of mass production.

Sian says she tries to create a visual technical challenge with her work, that tricks the viewer when observing her designs, which she intends to be used primarily for interiors, both functional and aesthetic.

Sian's latest success follows previous achievements, including being second place winner of the international 'Hand and Lock' hand embroidery competition in 2010.

She received two commendation awards from Bradford Textile Society in 2010 and is currently exhibiting in the touring exhibition 'Invisible Cities and Hidden Landscapes.'

Sian was also recently successful in gaining a scholarship from the Milford Haven Port Authority providing her with valuable support through her studies, and has also been part of a group exhibition, 'Little and Large,' in 2010, as well as taking part in the touring exhibition 'Lines and Strata 2010.'

Most recently, Sian was invited to take part in last year's Christmas exhibition at Cardiff's 'Craft in the Bay'.

Further information regarding the New Design Britain Award can be found at http://www.interiorsuk.com/page.cfm/Link=65">http://www.interiorsuk.com/page.cfm/Link=65