TV designer George Bond shares his skills

Jun 20 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

INTERIOR designer George Bond has been giving the benefit of his experience to aspiring students.

The Newcastle-based designer, who rose to fame as part of Carol Vorderman’s Better Homes television programme, has been mentoring students from Newcastle College.

George, whose interior design company is based in Jesmond, was first approached by Newcastle College three years ago to take on a student studying for a foundation degree in interior architecture.

Since then he has taken other students from the college under his wing, all of whom are still with the company and have been working between two and five days a week with him. Raymond Watkin, 20, from Wallsend, has been with George since October and is now so keen on a career in the industry that he has signed up to the college’s third-year course to get his degree.

He said: “I’ve learnt so much from George since October, and I’m very thankful to him for that. George has given me the opportunity to interact with clients as well as teaching me how to put quotes together and what is involved with pitching to a client. It’s a fantastic opportunity to watch somebody like George at work.”

Mr Bond said: “All of the students I’ve had have been fantastic and a credit to the college. It’s important to teach the students your own design philosophies but also to allow their own creativity to shine through; it’s in these scenarios that they really flourish.”

George has also been mentoring 2nd year foundation degree student Victoria Potter, 21, as well as Fiona Dales, 21, a 3rd year student who will be graduating with a BA Honours in Interior Architecture this summer.

Simon Chambers, course leader for Interior Architecture at Newcastle College, said: “Through their studies the students receive guidance and industry-led skills. This is then backed up through the first-hand experience they receive whilst on work placement. The placements with George have proven to be invaluable for the students.”