Future modelmakers 2020

Posted 14.06.2020

By Make modelshop

Usually this week would hold one of the highlights of the modelmaking calendar, the New Blades graduate show and recruitment fair in London.

Sadly, due to the pandemic, this year’s event has been cancelled. We can imagine how gutting this is for the students and universities who would normally take part, so we’re launching the week-long Future Modelmakers 2020 digital showcase to celebrate the work of the graduating cohort.

We’ll be posting photos of the final year projects from students on modelmaking courses across the UK, including non-architectural modelmaking disciplines. We’ll also be sharing Q&As and profiling the work of graduates who have joined Make on work experience, and talking to our modelshop team about their experiences as attendees of New Blades and recent exhibitors.

Follow #futuremodelmakers on social media to see the latest posts from the campaign.

Finlay won 'Best Architectural Model' at New Blades 2019 with the model

New Blades

For over 25 years, New Blades has provided a showcase for the talent coming through from modelmaking degree courses, including those at:

University of Hertfordshire
Arts University Bournemouth
Glasgow City College
University of Bolton
Northern School of Art
Institute of Art, Design + Technology
NWTC
Coleg y Cymoedd
Nottingham Trent

Run by 4D Modelshop, one of our key suppliers, and sponsored and attended by firms throughout the architectural, special effects and product design industries, it is a unique occasion that provides final year students a showcase for all their hard work. It’s a chance to enter the related awards, an opportunity for industry professionals to scout out new talent, and for everyone to reconnect with old friends and let their hair down once the bar opens!

In a close-knit specialist industry like modelmaking, everyone seems to know everyone. We don’t get many chances for a get-together, so it is always special to see people at New Blades and find out what they’ve been up to.

New Blades 2019

The Make modelshop with Finlay Whitfield (second on the left), who joined Make for work experience and won 'Best Architectural Model' at New Blades 2019

Student modelmakers at Make

We like to nurture emerging talent and Make offers extended work placements for students who show a passion and aptitude for architectural work. Our modelshop team helps to train and guide them through their taste of working life here in the studio and as they build their own large showcase model of one of our projects – several of which have featured at New Blades.

One of our favourite things about the show is reconnecting with students who have come to Make for work experience and seeing their work on display. We are lucky enough to have had some amazingly talented young people through our doors, some of whom have later gone on to work here at Make.

Get involved

If you’re a student modelmaker and would like your work to be profiled as part of the Future Modelmakers 2020 campaign, tag your posts with #futuremodelmakers or DM us on Instagram.

New Blades are encouraging graduates to tag their photos with #newbladesshow to promote their work and The Association of Professional Modelmakers is also running a free competition for graduating students. Visit their website for more information: www.modelmakers.org/-apmmawards-2020

We’re frustrated for all the students who are missing the show this year, but we’re looking forward to seeing and celebrating their hard work and talent online. And here’s to seeing everyone in the industry the next time around, at New Blades 2021!