Henries Best Young Designer focus on Rosie Bennett and Esme Lintin
Finding new talent is often a priority for greeting card retailers – and indie chain Postmark has put its support up front by sponsoring the Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist Award in The Henries 2023.
This special category in The Henries Awards is aimed at shining the spotlight on the newest artists, illustrators, designers, photographers, and font maestros aged under 35, and many took the time and effort to enter their moodboards for this year’s finals.
“I think they’re all fabulous,” Postmark md Mark Janson-Smith told PG Buzz, “I’ve always loved this category and really wanted to sponsor it so, when the chance came up last year, we jumped at it – and, of course, had to come back again for 2023.”
And Mark was among the 35 buyers from grocers, multiples, small groups and independent retailers who took part in the live Henries Awards judging round a couple of weeks ago where they were able to check out all the entries in the flesh, and their collective votes from the day decided the eight finalists.
Here PG Buzz gives an insight into the first two of the 2023 finalists, Rosie Bennett and Esme Lintin…
Rosie Bennett, in-house designer for Paper Salad
“I am 34 years old, live in Greater Manchester and have been designing greeting cards, bags and wrap for Paper Salad for the past four years.
“Although I don’t have a design background, I’ve always been creative in all aspects of day-to-day life, which helped me be considered for a job I absolutely love!
“Before designing for Paper Salad, I had various creative job roles including visual merchandising for a large High Street store and illustrating designs for a small t-shirt company.
“Since designing greeting cards, I’ve learned so much about all aspects of designing and I’m still learning new things every day. I draw inspiration for my work daily through things like fashion and art and I’m a huge lover of patterns and colour! So, as you can imagine. working for a colourful company like Paper Salad is the dream.
“I am constantly striving for something a little different when designing, while still wanting my designs to be loved by all. I love knowing that people use my designs to share news and messages of love, to make someone else smile. This makes me very happy and want to continue to do what I love.”
Esme Lintin, in-house designer for Woodmansterne Publications
“My journey started as a young teen in Lincolnshire creating handmade cards and crafts for family and friends. Many business ideas later, ranging from jewellery to decoupage, I landed in Hertfordshire creating wall art from large-scale abstracts to nursery illustrations for worldwide companies.
“I now run my own part-time illustration business where my designs are inspired by the patterns and colour of the natural world, the jewel tones of tropical habitats alongside the details of British wildlife and meadows.
“Joining Woodmansterne has enabled me to explore new looser, more playful styles combining characters with punny typography.
“When I’m not designing for Woodmansterne, or thinking of new ideas for my small business, I love walking in the countryside, playing and watching netball, tending to my houseplants or hanging out with my rescue cats Zuko and Sokka.”
The full list of finalists for the Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist 2023 is:
Rosie Bennett, in-house designer for Paper Salad
Stephanie Davies, founder and designer for Stephanie Davies
Georgi Doig, founder and designer for Lil Wabbit
Nicole Elders, founder and designer of Nicole Elders
Esme Lintin, in-house designer for Woodmansterne Publications
Hannah Marchant, founder and designer for Hannah Marchant
Lottie Murphy, founder and designer for Lottie Murphy
Sophie Thorne, in-house designer for GBCC
The winner will be revealed along with all the product category and best service awards winners at the industry’s Mardi Gras-themed big night on 5 October, at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel. Tickets for the event can be bought here.
