International spotlight for design class of 2012

Free Range - the UK's largest art, design and fashion show - will exhibit their work from 12-16 July at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane, London. The show is considered the country's number one platform and launch pad for creatives looking to make an impact on their chosen art discipline.

This is the third year that Leeds Metropolitan has taken part in the exhibition.

Andrew Herbert, graduating from Leeds Met this summer in Interior Design and winner of the Dean's Prize for Academic Achievement, said he was looking forward to seeing what opportunities the Free Range exhibition would bring.

The idea for his design project, Northern Light - Memorial to societies forgotten - which will be on display next week, came to him after he discovered Section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 during his research.

"That legislation deals with the process of what happens to people who die and have no friends and family," explained Andrew. "I found the whole thing very sad, particularly that human life can be so disposable. So I came up with the design of a site of two halves. One half provides sensitive funerals for those who otherwise would have required a "pauper's funeral" under the 1984 Act. The second half provides a memorial to finally celebrate the lives of those forgotten by society and inspire those who visit to reconsider ways in which they can live a better life and include those at the periphery of society."

Andrew will also be giving a presentation during Intervene - an event hosted by Pecha Kucha Leeds at Free Range between 7-9pm on Monday 16 July and organised by Leeds Metropolitan University BA Hons Interior Architecture Design lecturer, Peter Dixon.

Course Leader, Julie MacDermott, said that all ten students are due to graduate later this month with first class honours and will be exhibiting under the banner of Interior Educators at Free Range.

"We are very proud of our students - the standard of their work is extremely high," she commented. "For the last two years Leeds Met students have won prizes at the event and other graduates have been key speakers alongside some of our alumni and other well-known architects and designers.

"We are delighted to be exhibiting at Free Range again and are confident that our students have what it takes to scoop awards and make it a hat trick for Leeds Metropolitan. The exhibition truly is a platform like no other for our soon-to-be graduates to make their mark and be noticed by the industry people that matter the most."

There will be 438 students from 28 UK Interiors degree courses are exhibiting next week at Free Range. Following a review of the students' work by a number of high profile judges the prize-giving will take place at the Pecha Kucha event at 8pm on 16 July.

The Interior Educators exhibition will run from 12-16 July. Opening hours will be Friday - Sunday 10am -7pm and Monday 10am - 9pm.