Graduates in CMYUK’s Creatives in Residence Live (CIRL) initiative are about to embark on their first design brief. Entitled Abstract Florals, the three surface designers have until 5 November 2021 to produce an A3 swatch book, three wallpaper designs, three natural and three polyester printed fabrics inspired by florals and verdure.

Mentoring this first design brief will be London luxury interiors brand Divine Savages, British fabric printer Standfast and Barracks, pattern trend and research company Pattern Curator and surface pattern design for global interiors and gifts Mary Jones Design. The digital printing and finishing technology used for this brief will be from Canon, Epson, Klieverik, EFI, Mimaki and Kongsberg.

Overseeing all project briefs in the CIRL initiative is multi-discipline practitioner and award-winning textile designer Debbie McKeegan, who at the behest of CMYUK has written an exclusive six-month curriculum for the programme. Consisting of six monthly modules, these include the knowledge and insights required to successfully complete the briefs. Throughout this programme, industry experts, print designers, specialist practitioners and mentors will be on hand to provide advice.

CIRL is designed to be an open and collaborative learning experience. All design briefs are available online so that design students worldwide can participate. Followers are encouraged to send their completed designs to the project by 5 November; the most notable entries will be evaluated by leading industry luminaries and shared online.