Shoppers at Selfridges might have seen the work of a Kimpton artist in the famous department store's Christmas display.

Art graduate Grace Overington had a dream come true this Christmas when Selfridges invited her to make the models for one of their legendary corner window displays, at the close of her first year in business.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The lobster chandelier modelling by GO Design in Selfridges' Christmas window 2022. The lobster chandelier modelling by GO Design in Selfridges' Christmas window 2022. (Image: Andrew Meredith)

Grace, 28, from Kimpton, completed her model making degree at the University of Hertfordshire in 2020.

The pandemic halted her teacher training plans, so she used her design and model-making skills to set up her own business, GO Design Ltd, in January 2022.

Grace's business operates out of a studio in Harpenden, and earlier this year she successfully applied for financial support and mentoring from a business acceleration scheme run by Hertfordshire Growth Hub.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Helen Thomson, of Thomson Training, and Grace Overington, GO Design ServicesHelen Thomson, of Thomson Training, and Grace Overington, GO Design Services (Image: Thomson Training / GO Design Services)

The scheme matched Grace with a business mentor, Helen Thomson from Thomson Training, as well as lecturers at the University of Hertfordshire, who helped Grace accelerate her business growth and explore sustainable methods for creating her models. 

Grace uses a locally sourced eco plaster compound and offcuts donated from waste skips of large London model making companies.

Her business is also reusing waste packaging for the model fillings, such as used animal feed bags.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A Sun Bear model at Hertfordshire zoo Paradise Wildlife Park designed and made by GO Design Services.A Sun Bear model at Hertfordshire zoo Paradise Wildlife Park designed and made by GO Design Services. (Image: Grace Overington)

Grace had the idea when creating a new set of exciting original ‘sustainability heroes’ sculptures with her team using innovative technology, for Broxbourne’s Paradise Wildlife Park, which included a life-sized sun bear.

They were then commissioned to create the Hertfordshire zoo's winter grotto, using 3D sculpting and robotic technology to carve the polar bear sculptures. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Paradise Wildlife Park's Christmas grotto featuring a polar bear by GO Design.Paradise Wildlife Park's Christmas grotto featuring a polar bear by GO Design. (Image: Grace Overington)

More of GO Design’s work was enjoyed before Christmas at the winter wonderland commissioned by OVO Theatre in the remains of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium in St Albans.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The GO Design team of Grace Overington, Zoe Perrin, and Thomas Beardwell at OVO's outdoor Christmas production at the Roman Theatre in St Albans.The GO Design team of Grace Overington, Zoe Perrin, and Thomas Beardwell at OVO's outdoor Christmas production at the Roman Theatre in St Albans. (Image: Sam Cain)

“I’d love to be known as the ‘go to’ company supplying original and beautiful sustainable models for all sorts of events that do not cost the planet,” said Grace.

“Helping wonderful art director Rhea Thierstein bring her sustainably sourced three meter wide lobster chandelier to life was so inspiring. 

“I am so grateful for all the help I’ve had this year and so proud that we’ve just had our work with Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet showcased on ITV’s This Morning show and also our Paradise Wildlife Park models on CBBC’s One Zoo Three.”

For more on GO Design, visit www.godesignservices.com