NICOLA SCHELLANDER

Indented vases, 1999
Mould blown and machine processed
Created for MA in Glass Product Design
30cm x 12cm


During my 15 years of working with glass, I have worked as a Senior Designer for the two biggest glass and crystal manufacturers in the UK, Edinburgh Crystal and Dartington Crystal. I also worked with The Isle of Wight Glass as well as renowned glass artists, studios and factories across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

My specialist glass design skills and manufacturing experience have enhanced the delicate understanding and harmony between the craftsmanship of hand-made objects and the manufacturing process, producing products that are both cutting edge, tactile, refined and sophisticated.

My creative inspiration comes from working directly with manufacturers and craftsmen to challenge traditional glassmaking techniques, push the boundaries and develop new production processes which inspires me to design innovative and fresh designs, in beautiful creative ways. My visual interest lies in the structural and spatial qualities of glass with references drawn from anatomy and architecture, to create deeply carved and highly sculpted studio pieces that explore space and form. I am also fascinated by the tactility and fragility of glass and explore the way in which a piece is touched, held or used, to create sensuous and tactile objects.

As well as designing for industry, I am also a skilled glassmaker, designing and producing my own glassware. I have recently established my own company which, after winning several business awards, is now set to expand into establishing a designer brand name in the contract lighting and interiors markets and as a glass designer and consultant.

Biography pdf

Nicola Schellander filler

Selected Biography

EDUCATION
1998 - 2000: MA Glass at the University of Wolverhampton.
1993 - 1997: BA Hons Glass at the University of Wolverhampton.

WORK
2007 - present: Established Glass Lighting Design Business, producing commercial glass product designs.
2005: Senior Designer, Dartington Crystal Ltd (to include Royal Brierley).
2004 - 2005: Glass Design Consultant, Dartington Crystal, Royal Brierley Crystal, etc.
2001 - 2004: Head of Design, Edinburgh Crystal Ltd. (latterly to include Caithness Projects) Great Britain.

CLIENTS
John Lewis, Harrods, HOF, Tiffany & Co, Royal and Ancient Golf Association, Clive Christian, Royal Bank of Scotland, Laura Ashley, Royal Mint, Debenhams, TKMaxx, Lord Provost Edinburgh, Mandinda Records.

AWARDS
2008: NESTA Business award for setting up a business with Enterprise and Innovation.
2007: Bridge Trust Award- Business Start-up award winner for marketing.
2000: Design Nation Award, London - Award for part in One Year On Exhibition, New Designers, London.
1998: Edinburgh Crystal Masters Degree Scholarship Award.

EXHIBITIONS & PRESENTATIONS
2005: Work and profile presented at GAS Annual Conference, Australia.
2003: IGS Crystalex International Symposium 2003 - Novy Bor, Czech Republic.
2003: Crafts Council Forum in London - 15 British Designers to present work.
2003: South African Glass Society International Symposium, work presented.
2002: Australian Contemporary Glass Society International Symposium, work presented.
1999: Nuutarjarvi International Seminar - Iittala Factory, Nuutarjarvi, Finland.