Final year project
Tribal Tropics [Read more]
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Tribal Tropics
Final project collection - tribal tropics.
An eclectic interior surface design collection, including fabrics, wall coverings, ceramics and wood panels.
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Embroidered raffia loops creating a curved tube structure

Woven mesh panel using yarn, merino wool, ribbon and cording
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Animal print painted ceramic tile and heat pressed cork with raffia and yarn floral embellishments
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Abstract tribal digital print with wooden embellishments
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Tribal collage digital print
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Manipulated tie dye floral wall covering design, embroidered with french knots
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Digital houndstooth print and disperse dye print, with added flock texture and wooden embellishments
Emma Helmke
Emma is a multi-media textiles student who creates colourful and eclectic surface design pieces, suited towards an interior environment, using processes such as digital printing and embroidery and embellishment to convey this.
'Tribal Tropics' is a vibrant interior surface collection influenced by a visit to hotel 'Lopesan Baobab', with focus on how African textiles has developed over time. The collection combines both traditional and modern approaches to African textiles and this has been adapted further by incorporating an 'art deco' element, with black and white highlights running through. The collection combines textural surface qualities and processes such as digital print, hand embroidery, disperse dye printing, tie dye, ceramics and woodcuts, to present a combination of surfaces that can stand alone or work alongside one another with varying patterns. With a passion for interior design, it was important to direct ‘tribal tropics’ towards an interior setting, with Emma keen to develop her ideas and pursue a career within the interior design industry.
Final year project
Tribal Tropics
Awards
'20 Diploma in Professional Studies
Placements
August 2018 - November 2018
Design Studio Intern, Amanda Kelly Design
November 2018 - July 2019
Interior Design Intern, Sara Slade Interiors