A University of Chester graduate has been shortlisted for a global art and design award.

Abbie Beddows, an interior design BA honours graduate, is one of the finalists in the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024.

This international competition celebrates the best new talent in art and design from around the world.

Ms Beddows was recognised in the Product, Architecture and Interiors category after more than 5,000 graduating students entered their end-of-year projects across four categories.

The 22-year-old caught the judges' attention with her designs for the Aroma Fragrance store, which address the challenges faced by physical retail environments and meet current consumer expectations.

The designs offer a personalised experience, featuring both eco-friendly and digital elements.

The interior scheme is inspired by the movement of scents through the air.

An Aroma Fragrance store design from Abbie Beddows’ final degree project portfolio  (Image: University of Chester)

The bespoke service allows consumers to create their own scent, including a scent room experience and a one-to-one session with an Aroma Perfumer.

The competition judges represent some of the biggest names in the industry, including Louis Vuitton, Nike, The LEGO Group, The Dutch Design Foundation, and Coca-Cola.

Ms Beddows said: "I am delighted to have been shortlisted in the 2024 Global Creative Graduate Showcase.

"It’s a real honour for my project to have been recognised amongst so many other talented designers from around the world.

"I am proud of what I have achieved so far and being shortlisted is a great reward for all my hard work during this project."

Lynne Bell, programme leader for BA honours interior design at the University of Chester, added: "We are thrilled that Abbie has been shortlisted for a Global Creative Graduate Showcase award.

"She has excelled in her studies, and her final degree project is outstanding.

"To be chosen as a finalist by industry leaders from thousands of entries worldwide is a huge achievement, showing her work is world-class and that she is one-to-watch in design.

"We wish Abbie the best of luck."

Having completed her studies in the summer, Ms Beddows is now a junior designer at Cheshire-based Show Business Interiors, a company that specialises in the design and installation of show homes for UK property developers.

The Global Creative Graduate Showcase, now in its fifth edition, is run by Arts Thread, a global launchpad for art and design students and graduates.

This year, it is in collaboration with WGSN, a consumer trend forecaster, and Coloro, a colour system and partner for the design industry.

The public vote is now open for people to choose their favourite artists and designers from the shortlist of 500.

Voters can select one person from each category.

The public vote will close on Friday, October 11, after which the panel will choose their favourite artists and designers.

The winners, based on the judges' and public votes, will be announced later in the month.

Google Arts & Culture will also create a feature on the site showcasing the 2024 winners as well as previous winners.

To see all of the entrants in all the categories, and for further details about the Showcase, visit: artsthread.com/events/globalcreativegraduateshowcase.