From the 7th-1oth July I exhibited my work at 'New Designers' at the Business Design Centre in London. The show was amazing and some really cool stuff was on display. My work was shown through 'Sheffield Hallams' stand and I showcased my 'Bubble Tank' and Organised Chaos' workstation which both generated a bit of interest! Watch this space...

I've recently been working on remaking my 'bubble tank' this time blowing it into a plaster mould. This allows me to make several exact replicas of a design. These will be on show at 'New Designers' Exhibition on 8th - 11th July!!!

"The creative spark is the moment when a thought suddenly becomes the possibility of reality. When what was only a thought has a genuine chance of existence. When clarity prevails and it all seems obvious."

Creative Spark was my final graduation show at Sheffield Hallam Uni. This gave me the opportunity to exhibit all my projects from my final year. The show included furniture, product and graphic design as well as fine art and photography. The show went really well and had a lot of positive feedback!

For my final project at Sheffield Hallam I decided to conduct a study into creative workspaces, in particular for young designers and how they work best. My final piece, 'Organised Chaos' is based around reducing clutter whilst providing a space which stimulates the creative process. It has a wiring system at the back which provides a space to keep items which are integral to the design process but keeps them off the work surface which often becomes cluttered. There is also a shallow desk which aims to provide storage for the essentials ie, paper and stationery, without leaving enough space for mess to accumulate.

Heres a few more prototypes for pieces in relation to the 'Lack Attack' project. There is a chair (with backrest), stencilled piece and vinyl cut design. More to follow...

My latest project has been based around using a £5 Ikea Lack table to create a range of furniture morphing into new pieces with more character. Here are a couple of the pieces that I made. All pieces are still flat pack and have one resin corner-piece with a different stage of the germination process, a metaphor on how the design has grown into something new, fun and different!!!

Here are a few of the photos taken recently in the studio with the 'Bubble Tank' and its stool and stand.

Here are some more photos of some of the final prototypes for the range of tanks after the tops were grinded and finished. More photos to follow soon!

Today I took a trip to the 'National Glass Centre' in Sunderland to get a commission glass blown for my degree. It is going to be a fish tank which I have been working on over the past few months. The final piece will hopefully be shown at 'New Designers', an exhibition in London, later this year. Here are some of the photos of my piece being blown in glass! Exciting Times!!!

Here are some photos I took in Newcastle recently. They are of the Tyne Bridge, The Baltic Art Gallery and the breakwater columns at Blyth. See what you think!

Can you imaginepeople from every country in the world participating in a simultaneous moment of peace? Can you imagine the impact?... We can... Please join us!

I decided to photograph myself texting a group of friends and family some words encouraging peace and asking them to take part in next years 'World Wide Moment'. This was my way of spreading peace. The idea is that next year they might tell another 10 people about the event and word will spread. Peace out!!!

Just came across some old photos of my Final Major Project at College in 2006. It was a project inspired by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia which aimed to raise awareness regarding mental health issues. The design addressed a common part of OCD whereby there is a need for both sides of the body to feel equal. It was made using laminated ply in a former which is supported by 8 Steel legs which were welded with a support beam! The good old days at Newcastle College!!!

http://www.modelmayhem.com/patcotillojr

In this photo: Vala Durvett

My gingerbread men recently took a trip over to America for the 'designers against AIDS' charities most recent venture, 'NYC AGAINST HIV' fashion show. It was an event which aimed to raise awareness and included dancing, singing with the ultimate crescendo of a fashion show which featured my gingerbread accessories!!!

Pictures courtesy of www.cookedbread.com

Earlier this month 'Toast' the trendy Sheffield Boutique launched its new website. As you can see, the table I designed earlier this year in collaboration with this shop features on the site. 

I spent last month travelling around Europe with a friend from uni. We rocked Amsters, Berlin, Budapest, a few islands in Croatia, Slovenia, Rome and Barcelona!!! It was a trip which included an awesome Graffiti tour in Berlin, party times in Budapest and spending a night in Montpellier surrounded by tramps and gang warfare! The whole trip was amazing and personal highlights included 'Tacheles', (a squat which is now rented out as creative space for artists), the cool installations in Amsterdam and chilling in the Parc Guell in Barca! Here are some of the photos I took whilst away;

Woolen Installation in Amsters!

Coliseum 09

Slovenia - Lake Bled

'Tacheles' staircase

Berlin Wall repainted

Slovenian Gorge

Photography by Richard Bell

I recently took a trip to Gumbet, Turkey. It was an amazing trip which included hospitalization, a visit from the police and an abundance of rip-off 'Gucci' purses!!! Good times though!!! Here are some of the photos, mostly playing around with the shutter speed on my new Nikon camera!!! They are of the neon lit skyline at night and the bottom two were from a fire show we saw! Pretty Cool!!!

The brief for my final second year project was to design a functional coffee table with hidden depth, character and an overall sense of personification. I also aimed to provide a contemporary and innovative storage solution without compromising the look of the design. 

The table top opens to reveal a layer of latex which acts as storage for everyday items. The tabletop is then placed back down onto the latex and the items bow into the latex where they are stored safely. The piece is made from 18mm plywood and 5mm sheet acrylic. Details have been laser-etched within the piece. 

Inspiration from this piece came from 'Milan Furniture Fair', 'Designers Block', 'Moustache' Design, 'Alessi' and street art. 

The Journal

The Chronicle

Here are two articles from local newspapers, 'the Journal' and 'the Chronicle' about my sisters show with photos of my gingerbread men!