The Henries Awards category boost for latest designers making their name
There’s so much talent around in the greeting card industry with incredible designers and artists everywhere, and many newbies coming through each year.
To recognise the hard work and fabulous skills, and give a boost to the latest ones making their name, The Lynn Tait Young Designer Or Artist award is one of the most significant categories in The Henries greeting card awards, which is once again being sponsored by the Postmark small retail group.
Each year, all designers under the age of 35 are invited to submit boards showcasing their artistic prowess, with all boards being seen by the 40-plus pack of retailer judges at the physical judging day whose votes count to pick the finalists.
Here PG Buzz features three of the seven who will find out on Thursday, 3 October, which one will lift the prestigious trophy, at the lavish awards event, the industry’s big night, which this year has an anything-goes ancient Rome theme at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Emily Byrd, founder of Bird & Co Studio
“I’ve always had a passion for getting out into nature and exploring the wild. From a young age, I was at my happiest drawing in trees and making woodland dens. I have always loved making people happy and would spend hours crafting special birthday cards for friends and family.
“For a long time, I’d dreamed of having my own business and, in 2022, I combined my passion for illustration and design with my love of the outdoors and created Bird & Co Studio.
Over the last year I decided to give this new venture my best shot so, after doing my first Christmas market, I signed up for PG’s Ladder Club in December 2023. The day inspired me so much and I met other cardies that have since grown into good friends.
“This led on to me doing the GCA’s Dragons’ Speed Dating event in March 2024, which helped me get used to pitching my work to retailers and gain some valuable feedback. Then in June I launched officially to trade on Faire and at the PG Live show. I was so chuffed to leave the show with orders, amazing new contacts and more industry friends, as well as a Golden and a Sunshine ticket!
“My designs are hugely inspired by my adventures in the natural world, often accompanied by my spaniel Mylo, and my goal is to create beautiful, illustrated products that help to protect it.
“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved so far, being a finalist for two Henries awards, planting 500-plus trees and already being stocked in amazing stores around the world – I feel like I’m living my dream and I’m so excited to see where my journey leads me next.”
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 into 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.”
Lex Rogy, founder of Little Roglets
“You might recognise Little Roglets as the hedgehog holding the paintbrush, but if you don’t know Little Roglets already, then let me tell you the answer to one of my most frequently asked questions – why the name? A baby hedgehog is called a hoglet plus my surname is Rogy equals Roglet.
“From interior styling for superyachts as my first job out of university, to project management for Lego sculptures – yep, you read that right – I was always in creative industries, but always felt like something was missing.
“At the time I’d also started painting again, where it soon became a side hustle. Every spare evening after work would be spent painting people’s pets and creating one-off cards, until the nudge to use my creativity for more than just a hobby got so strong that, with no plan whatsoever only a desire to paint, I decided to take the leap of faith – and it was the best thing I ever did.
“My inspiration is family, my love of travel and the very squiggly line that is the journey of life. Recognising that everyone’s path looks a little different, everything I design has a meaning behind it, from either personal experience or childhood memories, ask me about a range and I can give you a story!
“I was always the girl that could be found with animals over humans – or by the buffet, but that’s a different story and I’m yet to do a range on cheese!”
All winners of The Henries 2024 will be announced at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday, 3 October, 2024, which this year takes on an Ancient Roman theme.
To book tickets click here. It is a fabulous opportunity for the greeting card community to get together and celebrate its creative excellence as well as its strong sense of camaraderie. For more details head to the website www.thehenriesawards.co.uk
