Hazel’s set to star at PG Live

Woody’s latest launch could see top young designer make The Henries Awards again

 

Hazel is set to be one of the stars of the show at the upcoming PG Live as award-winning designer Charlotte Mason and Woodmansterne unveil their latest collaboration, christening their new working relationship.

Having worked for Woodmansterne Publications for nine years, Charlotte, who won The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist Award in The Henries 2021, moved back to her home town of Wigan last September and started her freelance career under Charlotte Mason Design.

Above & top: Charlotte Mason loves working with Woodmansterne
Above & top: Charlotte Mason loves working with Woodmansterne

“I’m so proud and excited that Hazel will be a major feature of the Woodmansterne stand at PG Live – it was the first range I worked on as a freelancer, so it’s a really special one for me,” Charlotte told PG Buzz. “It was a hard decision to leave Woodmansterne, but great that I can continue working with them on a freelance basis.”

To create the Hazel designs, Charlotte used a dip pen and ink to create the illustrations to give different weights of line for the nine birthday designs, then scanned all the elements into Photoshop and added the colour digitally, along with lots of gold foil.

Above: The nine Hazel designs started with dip pen and ink
Above: The nine Hazel designs started with dip pen and ink

Her personal favourite is the swimming turtles, inspired by beautiful sea turtles seen in Mexico, as she “loves the detailed foil and how it really sparkles when it catches the light”.

Having been with Watford-based Woodmansterne since leaving Leeds Art University in 2013, Charlotte had progressed to a senior designer post when she decided it was time to move back north last year, moving from the busy, collaborative studio environment to working in her home studio.

“I learned so much during my time at Woodmansterne,” Charlotte said, “I was lucky to work with really talented designers and illustrators, who were so inspiring and generous with their time. It’s a great team.

“Having the production side of the business on site was amazing. To be able to see your designs coming straight off the press and work closely with the printing and finishing teams really helped me to learn the whole process of a card from start to finish.

“I’m lucky to have a lovely home studio where I can be creative, and I know that Ian Blake, Woodmansterne’s art director, is only at the end of phone if I need to bounce ideas for a new card range.

“It’s great that I’ve been able to stay within the Woody family. I’ve also worked on some other projects for gift packaging, that I’m excited to see launch soon.”

Above: Woody’s chairman Paul Woodmansterne (left) and art director Ian Blake are very supportive of Charlotte’s freelance work
Above: Woody’s chairman Paul Woodmansterne (left) and art director Ian Blake are very supportive of Charlotte’s freelance work

With her background as the Most Promising Young Designer winner, and The Henries Awards 2023 now open for entries, there’s always a chance it could be Charlotte’s name on another trophy as Hazel has been launched at retail within the qualifying period of 8 June 2022-15 June 2023.

The deadline for entering the product categories of The Henries Awards 2023 is 18 June, 2023 and, following the success of last year’s experience, there will again be a two-stage judging process for the main product categories. The initial judging stage will take place entirely online before the shortlisted ranges being considered by the retail judging panel at a physical judging event.

Creatives, under the age of 35, have a bit more time to enter themselves for the Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist category. They are invited to send in a display board of their work by the closing day of Wednesday 26 July. Full details are on The Henries website, click here.

Above: Charlotte collecting the Most Promising Young Designer 2021 award from Postmark’s Leona Janson-Smith as Henries host Tom Allen looks on
Above: Charlotte collecting the Most Promising Young Designer 2021 award from Postmark’s Leona Janson-Smith as Henries host Tom Allen looks on

Charlotte’s advice to other young designers wondering whether to enter is: “Just go for it! It’s a great opportunity to share your designs with industry experts that may not already be familiar with your work. I also loved the process of putting together my entries and reflecting on work from the previous year.

“The Henries is a really fun night, a chance to get dressed up and celebrate the industry. It’s free to enter, so you’ve got nothing to lose!”

Taking place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday, 5 October, 2023, The Henries 2023 awards will be a vibrant, joyful event, especially as it will take on an up-tempo Mardi Gras fiesta theme this year. To book tickets click here.

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