Meet the Judges

The iDOTT Surface Pattern Design Competition is fortunate to be supported by an esteemed panel of judges drawn from across the wallcoverings, textiles, interiors and surface pattern design industries. Their expertise, experience and passion for design help ensure that every entry is evaluated with creativity, professionalism and industry insight.

Our judges bring together a diverse range of skills spanning design, manufacturing, colour, printing, trend forecasting, product development and commercial innovation. Through their collective knowledge, they help identify and celebrate emerging talent while providing valuable recognition and encouragement to the designers of tomorrow.

We are delighted to introduce our judges and grateful for the time, knowledge and dedication they contribute to making the iDOTT Surface Pattern Design Competition such a rewarding and inspiring experience for all participants.

Tanja Sharp, Senior Manager – Product Development, Designers Guild

Tanja Sharp is a respected figure in the world of luxury interiors, recognized for her extensive expertise in product development and her longstanding contribution to Designers Guild. With a career dedicated to the art and craft of home furnishings, she has helped shape collections that embody the brand’s celebrated approach to colour, pattern, texture, and contemporary living.

Throughout her career, Tanja has collaborated with designers, artisans, and global production partners, cultivating a reputation for meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.

Working at the intersection of creativity and production, Tanja has played an instrumental role in bringing Designers Guild’s distinctive vision to life across fabrics, wallpapers, furnishings, and lifestyle products. Her deep understanding of materials, manufacturing, and design innovation has enabled the creation of collections that balance artistic expression with exceptional quality and commercial appeal.

A notable aspect of her work has been the development and management of prestigious licensed collaborations, translating globally recognised brand identities into sophisticated interiors collections. These have included product ranges created in partnership with the Royal Collection, inspired by the rich decorative heritage of the British Royal Palaces; William Yeoward, celebrated for its timeless elegance and quintessential British style; Christian Lacroix Maison, renowned for its bold creativity, theatrical flair, and expressive use of colour; and Ralph Lauren Home, where classic American luxury and refined craftsmanship are reimagined through textiles and furnishings. Successfully delivering these collaborations has required a unique combination of creative sensitivity, commercial insight, and technical expertise, ensuring that each collection remains authentic to the partner brand while meeting the highest standards of quality and design.

As Head of Design and Product Development, Tanja continues to contribute to the evolution of one of the industry’s most influential design houses, helping to translate creative ideas into enduring collections that resonate with an international audience. Her passion for design, combined with decades of industry experience, has established her as a valued voice within the world of interiors and decorative arts.

As an independent textiles and furnishings consultant, I combine creative direction, colour expertise and technical knowledge with a strong fine art background and a deep understanding of both traditional and contemporary product design.

I have worked with a wide range of international brands, developing distinctive products and collections across textiles, wallpapers, embroidery, furniture and home furnishings. With extensive knowledge of production techniques, I have designed products from initial concept through to manufacturing. My approach is collaborative and adaptable, creating designs that reflect each client's vision, market and brand identity while balancing creativity with commercial awareness.

Alongside contemporary design, I have contributed to heritage projects with museums and specialist historic properties, researching and reproducing authentic historical textiles, furnishings and decorative interiors with close attention to traditional craftsmanship and historical accuracy.

I have also lectured in textiles and furnishing accessories at universities across the UK and delivered guest lectures internationally, sharing industry knowledge and practical insight with the next generation of designers.

Stephanie Jebbit

Marc Roylance Freelance Surface Pattern Designer

Marc Roylance is a freelance surface pattern designer based in Stockport, Cheshire, with over 30 years of experience in the interiors industry, primarily within the wallcoverings market. Throughout his career, Marc has held Design Director positions for some of the industry’s most prestigious wallcovering companies, leading creative teams and developing commercially successful collections.

His extensive travels across Europe and Asia have given him invaluable experience sourcing products and collaborating with some of the world’s largest DIY retailers.

Passionate about both creativity and craftsmanship, Marc particularly enjoys the technical journey of transforming an original design concept into a finished product, combining artistic vision with practical manufacturing expertise.

Tess Newall is a decorative artist based in Sussex. With a background in theatre and film, Tess intends for every mural or piece of furniture to evoke an atmosphere and tell a story.

Along with her bespoke murals she offers her own collection of wallpapers, fabrics, and homewares, supported by a dedicated team of project managers, designers and artists who work together from her Sussex studio to bring each creative vision to life.

Tess Newall Decorative Artist & Creative Director at Tess Newall Studio

Mark Hampshire & Keith Stephenson, Founders, Mini Moderns

About Mini Moderns

Often described as ‘cult Brit homewares brand’, Mini Moderns was established in 2006 by London based designers, Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire. The duo’s design influences encompass mid-century British textiles, ceramics and collectibles. Sharing a passion for social history, their patterns are often informed by music, literature and travel, leading them to describe their work as ‘pattern with a story’.

As well as launching their own collections, Mini Moderns have worked on many commissions in the culture sector, including collaborations with the Courtauld Gallery, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, London Transport Museum, Turner Contemporary and Museum of London.

Key to the brand’s success are the long-term relationships forged with trusted suppliers, helping to support UK business whenever possible. Products created in this way bear the standard: ‘Made in the UK by nice people’. On an environmental note, all wallpapers are produced using water based inks printed on paper from sustained forests.

Mid-century Modern Living: The Mini Moderns Guide to Pattern and Style by Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire was published in the U.K. and U.S. by Kyle Books in 2019. Now in its second edition.

About Mark and Keith

Mark and Keith’s collective design experience spans fashion, product and interiors, as well as corporate branding and design.

Keith’s graphic design degree took him into the world of fashion, where he held senior creative roles at Pepe Jeans London, Dr Martens and Red or Dead. Mark’s journey took a more circuitous route. Armed with a degree in English Literature, he worked in publishing and children’s television before establishing himself as a designer maker, eventually specialising in branding. The pair met whilst working in a London branding and design agency.

Finding the world of corporate design too restrictive, Mark and Keith followed their joint passion for interiors, establishing the Mini Moderns brand and reigniting people’s interest in wallpaper with their first collection. What was originally intended as a creative outlet quickly established itself as a successful business, and Mini Moderns now sells throughout Europe, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

MINI MODERNS COLLECTIONS: The Family Album 2007, Folk Rock 2009, Day-Tripper 2011, The Buddha of Suburbia 2013, Hinterland 2015, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning 2017, Culture! 2019, TRAVELOGUE 2022, Lucienne Day at Mini Moderns 2025, Short Stories 2025, Winner: Junior Magazine Design Awards, 2011 - Best Interior Collection, Shortlisted: Elle Decoration British Design Awards: 2009 - Best Wallcovering, 2011 - Best British Design Brand, 2012 - Best Wallcovering, 2019 - Paisley Crescent wallpaper accessioned into the permanent collection at The Whitworth, 2025 - Dungeness wallpaper accessioned into the permanent collection at The Whitworth.

Christine Westcott is a highly exceptional Designer with years of commercial industry experience, having started out as a wildlife illustrator she has worked her way up to the top as Design Manager and now runs her own studio. Christine has a passion for design and a clear understanding of the commercial product development process having worked with various factories and designers throughout Europe.