Our second event of 2023 for Handsworth Innovation Hub has a focus on digital art & design and will discuss how innovation and technology are supporting and altering the evolution of this area of creativity.

We are delighted to welcome two amazing experts in this field, Lo Williams & Amandeep Matharu who will be sharing their creative journeys and offering their advice and knowledge first-hand to our audience.

LO WILLIAMS, LoDesignz

Lo Williams is a Black British/Jamaican award-winning graphic designer born and raised in Birmingham, UK. Lo studied Visual Art and Design at Birmingham Ormiston Academy and has successfully run her own graphic design business, LoDesignz, since the age of 13. With a special gift of freehand illustration, Lo is able to interpret her client’s ideas into book illustrations, album covers, logo designs and portraiture, using her quirky animated style using multiple mediums of design. This includes graphic design and digital art.

Lo’s award-winning journey started in 2018 when she won the Tarmac Business Enterprise Award. This was quickly followed by the Roy Anthony Reid Foundation for Creative Ability Award win in 2019 and most recently, she scooped the Black Owned Birmingham Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Over the last couple of years, Lo has been developing artwork to educate people, particularly young black girls, to realise that it doesn’t matter what shade you are, and it certainly doesn’t make you more or less black. 

Lo will be sharing her journey of becoming a graphic designer and her eight years of experience. She will also be discussing her mission statement which is ‘creativity can change the world’ and will discuss how anyone has the ability to change the world and make an impact using their creativity.

Find out more about Lo at www.LoDesignz.co.uk and follow her on Instagram

@thisislodesignz @glowidlo @evenbetterincolour

AMANDEEP MATHARU,  ASMCollection

We will also be joined by Amandeep Matharu, also known as ASMCollection, who explores the intertwining of traditional handcraft with modern technological advancements. 

ASMCollection is heavily influenced by Amandeep’s current career in architecture. He merges his knowledge of architecture and passion for art into one cohesive and detailed work, which can additionally blurs the boundary between art and architecture.

ASMCollection also gains inspiration from Amandeep’s worldly travels and strolling through many arts and crafts markets and learning about local handmade woodcraft. South Asian ornaments and architecture influence the patterns in his work.

The desire to use natural materials is evident in ASMCollection’s work. Wood is the principal material, and through a process of layering, he creates intricate geometric and three-dimensional works. Artworks involve both hand-made and digital elements with Amandeep typically sketching concepts before using sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce technical drawings ready to laser-cut the elements of the final piece. 

Amandeep will discuss his career path and the art of intertwining traditional craft and modern digital fabrication. Find out more about ASMCollection on Instagram @ascollection or online www.asmcollection.co.uk

Come and join this exciting FREE event to see how you can think about a career in tech on Saturday 18th March 10am-12pm at Nishkam Centre, Soho Road, B21 9BH. Simply register to attend here