CGAA Class of 2011 @ New Designers 2011 Contd

There is a natural law that states the weather must be insufferably warm and sticky on day one of the New Designers 'build-up' - and ND 2011 conformed to this principle accordingly. It was with much huffing, puffing and perspiration that Simon Holland, Chris Hunt and myself manhandled all those specially constructed cubes out of the CGAA baseroom, into the lift, out through reception and into the back of a UCA minibus. Meanwhile, Alan - already at the venue - was measuring, drilling and wiring in readiness for our arrival. The sun shone down, London simmered - and so did we! Many thanks to CGAA course leader, Chris, who sat his minibus drivers' exam especially for us, and to Simon for stepping in as calm and collected navigator when my notoriously poor sense of direction threatened to send us careening at speed into uncharted sidestreets...

Happily, the big, white, empty space awaiting us at Islington's Business Design Centre didn't take long to transform. After more hefting of cubes and Apple macs, the installation of CGAA @ ND 2011 could begin in earnest, the course team joined by exhibiting graduates, Tom Beg and Zack Moat, and second year student and official UCA ambassador, Jolanta Jasiulionyte. It wasn't necessarily a very glamorous day, with floor cleaning featuring large on the task sheet, but with the help of much appreciated sugar-boosts from second year Charlotte's homebaking, the CGAA exhibit took shape without discernible stress or upset.

So, with just a few remaining finishing touches to add (and eighteen kilograms of licorice allsorts to decant!), CGAA @ ND 2011 is all but ready for the official opening and private view tomorrow. The awards evening is sponsored by Absolut Vodka, so there will be waiters minnowing amongst the VIPs and invited throng with cocktails held aloft. It should be a memorable night - pictures to follow!