Introduction
For the second year in a row, we set an open brief for final year BA and MA students at Cambridge School of Art (Anglia Ruskin University) to design a festive greetings card for the Kettle’s Yard shop. We’re delighted to present the four winning designs, which will be available to buy this Christmas.
This project has been kindly supported by King & McGaw.
Meet Our Winning Illustrators!
1. Alessandra Nasta
Introduce yourself
My name is Alessandra Nasta. I am originally from a small town in Italy, and I very recently graduated from Cambridge School of Art with a Master’s in Children’s Book Illustration. Having moved away from Italy for almost a decade now, my country still inspires me in everything I create. The ruins of long-gone civilisations, the beautiful nature, colourful houses, and numerous fountains are all elements that are ever-present in my art, and they have inspired me to look for the special things hiding all around me. With my art and my stories, I wish to carve a little pocket of magic for whoever sees them, a chance to let their childhood imagination run wild and go beyond what is ordinary.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESIGN AND WHAT INSPIRED IT
My design was heavily inspired by the artful blend of natural elements found scattered in the rooms of the Kettle’s Yard cottages. I loved walking around and finding all those little moments where different objects came together to create an effortless composition. I am also very drawn to ocean elements, so I found myself stopping at every seashell, and where there was a seashell, there was a shiny glass or a polished rock. Therefore, the most important element I wished to include was the seashells and the glass, all these round elements that repeated in every form throughout the house. With my design, I aimed to recreate the feeling that those objects evoked in me whenever I visited the house: harmony and comfort.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT KETTLE’S YARD?
My favourite thing about Kettle’s Yard is the reprieve it gives to its visitors; the cottage is almost frozen in time, and it truly feels like stepping into Jim and Helen Ede’s idea of heaven. I loved visiting Kettle’s Yard when I felt I needed inspiration, a space to sit and just feel. The house, the museum, and the shop all feel like places that value artists and their importance in people’s lives. Kettle’s Yard is truly a place where you can find hidden special moments everywhere. Personally, the highlight in all of my visits was getting to the transitory space just before the room where The Dancer is located. It is where there’s this massive window, plants, rocks, seashells, glass, and metal all come together to create a truly magical moment. The light filters from the window, distorts in the glass, and is dotted about like sparkles from the leaves and the patterns of the metalwork. It’s a truly magical space and my absolute favourite in the house, as you can sit in a wonderfully comfortable chair and observe the magical creations all these objects create together within the frame of the window.
2. Skylar Han
Introduce yourself
Hi, my name is Skylar Han. I studied MA Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. I draw inspiration from daily life, using lines and colors to capture the scenes of life and nature, and I hope to convey warmth and healing through my work.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESIGN AND WHAT INSPIRED IT
My inspiration is the dining table scene at Kettle’s Yard. I felt peaceful when I first saw this scene, dark wooden cabinets with blue armchairs; this ordinary furniture, in the accompaniment of light and shadow and artwork, became quiet and harmonious. I think the dining table is also a very good place to express the atmosphere of the holiday, so I chose this scene to create, wanting to combine the festive atmosphere and this cozy scene together.
What’s your favourite thing about Kettle’s Yard?
My favourite thing about Kettle’s Yard is that it has the comfort of home. I have visited many art museums, but they are all solemn. But when I come to Kettle’s Yard, it’s just like coming to someone’s living room. I feel free and comfortable. The artworks no longer cold, but are integrated into the spatial environment, which really makes people feel that these artworks also have temperature.
3. Eve Jaques
Introduce yourself
I’m Eve Jaques, a Cambridgeshire based illustrator. I have recently graduated, with a Bachelor degree with Honors in Illustration, from Cambridge School of Art. I am inspired by capturing the feeling of a space bringing forward the atmosphere through rich colour work.
Tell us about your design and what inspired it
My card design was inspired by the dining room tucked away in the corner of the Kettle’s Yard house. This corner is one of my favourite sections within the cottages, as it holds such warmth. This quickly sparked a festive atmosphere and inspired my card design.
I wanted to keep the atmosphere of the corner while adding festive elements. To do this I tried to keep the composition of the space the same, through the clarity in the weight of the belongings featured within this corner.
What’s your favourite thing about kettles yard
My favourite thing about Kettle’s Yard is that there are multiple aspects within one space that allows you to view the crafted compositions within the house. I have visited the house many times and each time I visit, I see something new. From the furnishing to the collections of artwork. Even down to the lighting, changing what it highlights showing something new to explore.
4. Ellie Good
Introduce yourself
I’m a designer and illustrator, based in South East England, with a passion for environmental issues. I’m currently studying for an MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art (lucky me!!) My work is a celebration of colour and shape, and I find inspiration in simple things that make me laugh or scratch my head – as well as in nature. When I’m not drawing and painting I spend my days trying to keep up with my kids, sniffing books, walking in the woods, admiring 60s wallpaper, eating chocolate and laughing at my ridiculous cat.
Tell us about your design and what inspired it
I wanted to create a cosy Christmas atmosphere and felt that having a choir singing (representing the importance of music to Kettle’s Yard) at the entrance, beneath the recognisable shape of the original part of the building with the Dutch-barn style roof would be the perfect place. I also tried to use a mid-century colour palette to reflect part of the Kettle’s Yard’s focus on Modern-Contemporary art and the approximate time that it became a working gallery.
What’s your favourite thing about Kettle’s Yard?
The house is such a wonderful space – it’s one I would love to live in myself, with an interesting selection of art and furniture. Perhaps I would never leave it… In general, Kettle’s Yard is such a unique and wonderful place, with so much to discover – with a great gift shop too!
In the Kettle’s Yard Shop
Christmas Cards
Browse our range of festive greetings cards, including the four winning designs above.