Surface Pattern graduate designs at Laura Ashley

3 October 2025

When Anna Eynon joined the MDes Surface Pattern and Textiles course at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art in 2020, she could hardly have imagined that, so soon after graduating, her designs would be decorating homes across the UK under one of Britain’s most iconic brands.

Anna Eynon with her textile display behind her

Anna, from Abergavenny, has gone from painting flowers in her sketchbook to seeing her collection, The Water’s Edge, launched by Laura Ashley for their AW25 range - all after only graduating last year and thanks to a design internship opportunity she gained during her studies.

The collection includes the Llanelli mural and Rainham Willow wallpaper, now available online and in stores such as Next, John Lewis and B&Q.

From classroom to creativity

Anna’s passion for art and design was nurtured at Crickhowell High School, where she first attended workshops at Swansea College of Art. A teacher’s encouragement and an Instagram search led her to discover the Surface Pattern and Textiles course.

Anna said:

I attended open days for different creative courses, but none of them felt quite right. When I discovered the Surface Pattern & Textiles course at Swansea College of Art, it all clicked. The inspiring studios, excellent facilities, and the small class sizes, that meant better one-to-one time with lecturers, made me feel this was exactly what I was meant to do.”

Beginning her studies during the pandemic was a demanding start, but Anna persevered, supported by her lecturers, and gradually developed her design identity, often inspired by the natural world.

Her third-year project focused on biophilia - bringing nature indoors - which became the foundation for her graduate portfolio.

Award-winning designs

In summer 2024, Anna’s final collection was showcased at New Designers in London, where she was awarded the Laura Ashley Lifestyle Award. The accolade recognised her intricate illustrations of wetland life - dragonflies, kingfishers, and delicate plant forms - and the way her designs resonated with the brand’s signature aesthetic.

Alongside £1,000 prize money, the award included the purchase of her work for the Laura Ashley archive, and a one-month paid internship with the brand’s design and licensing teams.

Laura Ashley’s judging panel described her work as: “A beautifully commercial home interiors collection… We loved the subject matter and interpretation of the print across the range.”

From internship to industry

During her internship, Anna got a behind-the-scenes look at how Laura Ashley brings a collection to life. From her own designs to other upcoming ranges, she experienced first-hand the process of turning creative ideas into products ready for stores.

A person holding a magazine featuring Anna Eynon's work

Anna said:

“I saw how a collection comes together - from trend research and archive work to pattern development, colour, and finally transferring designs to product. I even presented The Water’s Edge to over 100 people, which later became part of the AW25 range. It was so valuable to see how differently things are done in the industry.”

A year later, her collection has been officially released - just as Laura Ashley celebrates its 100th anniversary and reopens its first flagship store in five years. Anna’s designs are not only part of the brand’s revival but also a symbol of its commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Representatives from Laura Ashley said: “Created by Swansea College of Art UWTSD graduate and winner of our award, Anna Eynon, the Water’s Edge collection captures the wonder of wetland life… all intricately illustrated to evoke a sense of calm and connection to the countryside.”

A supportive place to study

Anna credits the course’s strong focus on employability, branding, and promotion for helping her stand out.

She said:

“The work doesn’t end after you leave university! I’m applying for design jobs while also keeping creative with commissions, murals, and personal projects. My aim is to keep pushing to be a part of the design industry, and I share a lot of this on my Instagram @annastextiles_.”

Her success also reflects the reputation of Swansea College of Art and UWTSD more broadly. The University was recently named 5th in the UK (out of 46 institutions) and 1st in Wales for Fashion and Textiles in the Guardian University League Table 2026. It was also named University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Programme Manager for Surface Pattern and Textiles, Georgia McKie, said:

“To see Anna’s collection that she developed in her final semester in our studios and workshops here in Swansea, now in production and featured front and centre at the new Flagship Laura Ashley store, and for sale to the public is a pinch me moment for all of us!

For current students to see the direct link with the work they are doing now on our programme, and how relevant this is to the current UK design industry is so inspirational for them.”