This year the theme for our collection is Japan.

 

The pure richness of material to draw from has informed the work in our studio throughout the year. The clarity, beauty and quality of Japanese design provides a never ending source of inspiration... Whatever your taste, there will be an element of Japanese design that will appeal to you.

 

Colours are bold but sophisticated, lines clean and uncluttered. Consideration and elegance feature in almost every corner.

 

Not only is there aesthetic beauty and quality to savour, when you take time to look a little deeper, the relevance of Japanese symbolism is reflected in our own mental health journeys; the journey of life represented by the fan, or the Koi who demonstrates perseverance.

 

Finding these nuggets of wisdom within something aesthetically beautiful can provide further comfort and a pathway to peace.

 

And then when all else feels lost, through working with your hands comes purpose.

 

�By taking bits and pieces, and using them to make something incredibly beautiful... its transformation through action.�

At Designs in Mind we are we are finding ways to live life and challenge mental health stigma. We create high quality ambitious and experimental art & design work and support each other to make independent ambition a reality.

 

We are a working studio, where adults living with mental health challenges join the studio as a member of the team, making and designing commissioned artwork and products for retail. We teach the skills needed to participate- textiles, glass, ceramics, recycled materials, wood, wire and most importantly everyone learns to work within a group. Each project enables different people to take the lead. Not everyone always has the confidence to make decisions and work independently. We break tasks down � so on a bad day when making decisions seems impossible makers can help with backup tasks. A strong network of friends and a peer group is established. Members are creatively challenged and work with purpose, building their self-worth and discovering new aspirations for the future.