MMU Degree Shows 2026: showstoppers

After a slight intermission for a school Spanish exchange I'm back on the journal catching up with the art world. I made my usual visit in June to the Manchester Metropolitan University & Manchester School of Art degree shows. In contrast to a section of last year's show there seemed less personal angst this summer and more driven motivation to tackle some of the current bigger issues. Most prominent was the boxed circus elephant. The delivery note attached to it's crate (seen below) referenced the 'elephant in the room' and described dissatisfaction with the art school who appear to have cut the bursary and introduced commercial project work. In other areas students tackled women's rights issues head on in numerous forms as seen in the works below. There were many aspects to this show, I'm hoping to post a second batch covering some of the further ideas expressed.

MMU DEGREE SHOWS | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

images clockwise from the top left: 

• we struggled to find the creator of the elephant - there doesn't appear to be a linked profile on the degree show website so hoping it is, as a nearby sign said, kamil duda (fine art) the art of a subtle goodbye, the delivery note on the elephant crate, 
• sofia rees' (graphic design) artwork looks at the matilda effect- misattributed, overlooked or erased recognition for women's work with a collection of portraits
• ines aberdeen's medals tackling the manosphere (fine art),  
• izzy guyton (fine art) looks at frustration with the political and social expectations placed on women in these paintings, 
• paula jane meir  (fine art) visited trafford domestic abuse services and recorded thought provoking comments made there on ceramics - then placed these plates in a domestic setting with a backdrop of willow wallpaper, 

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- listening to angine de poitrine for something a bit different
- reading elizabeth strout's the thing's we never say 
- enjoying my visit to see ai weiwei at factory international - more on that soon!

 

Beneath the Great Wave

An inspiring evening out for me visiting the wonderful new exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints Beneath the Great Wave at the Manchester Whitworth Gallery. It's an exploration of Hokusai & Hiroshige's art prints from the Edo era of Japan with a special feature given to the artwork now known as the Great Wave which has become a global icon seen across design, fashion and popular culture. 

It's lovely to see examples of the crafted wooden print blocks and imagine how they might have been used. I also loved the inclusion of delicately embroidered kimonos from the era. Noticeably the collection is made from natural pigments available at the time - without any artificial brash colour now seen in modern times it offers a calming and inviting vibe interestingly at odds with it sometimes full on imagery of volcanos, tsunamis, fireworks and the like. The beautiful collection is on show until November 15th, open late on a Thursday with a wonderful gift shop full of beautiful Japanese print items. Pair your visit as we did with a stop by Bundobust on Oxford road and a slow stroll down to the gallery through the universities. 

BENEATH THE GREAT WAVE | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

 above clockwise from the top left: katsushika hokusai's under the wave off kanagawa (the great wave) 1760-1849 arguablely the most famous image of japanese woodblock prints - it is thought just 100 copies survive today, snap of the 'how to read japanese prints' info, utagawa hiroshige's plum garden at kamata 1798-1858 i brought home a copy of this - love pink tree blossom,  katsukawa shunsen 1762-1830 woman of the yoshiwara - the layers of patternwork in this print are wonderful,  close up of the intricate floral embroidery on a kimono 1890-99,  a view of the main gallery at the whitworth exhibition, me! with the great wave 

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- reading the wild robot a lovely story by peter brown
- listening to the eurovision 2026 playlist! per sempre sì is the front runner in our house
- enjoying the second series of amandaland which brilliantly pokes a little fun at instagram culture

 

Cobalt Extreme 2026

Excited to be back on the journal this week with new photos of one of 2026's releases  -  the gorgeous red foiling absolutely shines on the pics! These new designs are an addition to the Cobalt Extreme collection, a Henries Greetings Awards FINALIST for BEST MALE RANGE 2025​​​​​​​. The range is an action packed, adrenaline fuelled, dynamic sibling of the best selling super stylish men's collection Cobalt. Created for Cinnamon Aitch, this brilliant brother to the Cobalt greetings range brings men's cards to an exciting new level powering best selling imagery into 2026. Signature super zingy hot foiling, contrasting natural textures, contemporary geo shapes deliver a style unique to the Cobalt greetings collection. The energetic new additions feature icons of basketball, hiking, rowing, snooker and more. 

Proudly made in the UK, the new designs launched at Spring Fair, February 2026. Available in the shops and direct from Cinnamon Aitch.  

COBALT EXTREME 2026 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: the wild rockstar birthday from the latest additions collection released at spring fair 2026, cobalt extreme 2026's oar-some rower, the brand new adventure seeking hiker, a super snooker player, the already best selling basketball player - all designed for cinnamon aitch and available to buy direct.

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- after some recommendations i've just started reading when the cranes fly south by lisa ridzén  😊📚
- watching this bbc program on the paintings of caroline walker fantastic portraiture of women at work
- enjoying all the spring tree blossoms, best season of the year 🌸🌸🌸

Spring Fair 2026

Super chuffed to be back at Spring Fair this week launching the new additions to the Henries Finalist range Cobalt Extreme - check back soon for more on this latest Cinnamon Aitch release. I had a fantastic day catching up with everyone and talking all things creative. Lovely to see the Giftware Association's Gift of the Year exhibition - my personal favourite was the Sass and Belle measuring spoons in the shape of a flower pot full of primulas, how lovely! Couldn't resist a stop by Coach House's latest interiors collections, gorgeous ceramics and pots. A fab show all round. Let's hope everyone has a well earned rest this weekend!

SPRING FAIR 2026 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above clockwise from the top left: sass and belle's flower pot measuring spoons shortlisted for gift of the year 2026, new releases to the henries nominated range cobalt extreme designed for cinnamon aitch and launched at the show, a snap of me on the cinnamon aitch stand, a much needed brief brew break inbetween meetings, gorgeous corner of the coach house stand - i'll take all those pots please, spring fair show guide at the ready!

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- just started listening to emilíana torrini's hello flower album
- reading magazines, i've returned to paper copies to reduce screen time and have to say i'm enjoying it.
- enjoying my new tea strainer from sostrene grene, best thing i've bought in ages, no more microplastic tea bags!

 

Glick Florentine Christmas 2025

It's been a joy this festive season wrapping Christmas with the gorgeous lux Florentine gift packaging designed for the wonderful Glick. Based on the greetings range Florentine for Portfolio Cards it features beautiful gold foiled illustrations inspired by traditional Italian papers, specialist letter press art prints and ornate wallpapers. The design style embraces a lux, fine detailed and illustrative approach. Three beautiful designs of presents, baubles and a winter fair appear across roll wrap, large, medium, small gift bags. Released 2025 and available in the shops this Christmas season. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026 from the Emily Hauck Creative studio. See you in the New Year 😊 

GLICK FLORENTINE CHRISTMAS 2025 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

 

above clockwise from the top left: gorgeous gold foiled gift bag in the ornate ornaments florentine pattern, close up of the precious presents pattern on the gold foiled large gift bag, ornate ornaments rollwrapped present, three wraps in the festive ferris precious presents and ornate ornaments patterns, matching foiled bauble tags - all available from glick luxury gift wrap and accessories.

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- listening to this desert island discs episode with one of my fave print artists angela harding
- reading the examiner by janice hallett, a cosy crime page turner set in an art studio
- enjoying home baked madeleines, yum 😊

 

 

Festive Friday 2025

It's that time already, it's Festive Friday today! 

This year I'm posting card designs from Abacus's Clare Maddicott Christmas charity packs collections. I drew these festive illustrations from the snowy scenery seen on our magical family trip to Lapland. The holo foil shimmer recreates the sparkle from the frosted trees and foliage. These chirpy little Christmas robins, a berry bedecked deer and a merry Santa off on his travels designs will soon begin their journey around the world spreading some Festive cheer. 

 

Charities supported on these lovelies, Parkinsons UK, British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder & Mind. 

Dates for your calendar for UK post, Royal Mail’s advertised last posting dates are Wednesday 17th December with second class stamps and Saturday 20th December for first class 🎄📮💌

FESTIVE FRIDAY 2025 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: the robins on seedheads design from the clare maddicott christmas collections, a close up of the snow covered lapland trees, the first class stamp designs from royal mail 2025 - nicely coordinating with my designs! love this snowy photo i look on the lapland trip, cheerful robin being sent in todays festive friday mail out, santa setting off on his journey over the frosted tree tops, mr berry bedecked deer stepping out for christmas.

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- listening to this fab pod episode of this cultural life with designer Jonathan Anderson
- reading the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by c.s.lewis to get us in the mood for this festive season, looking forward to seeing the theatre version soon.
- chuffed to see cobalt extreme's recommendation in this months what's hot? section of pg magazine by james bowden of clock cards in ware, hertfordshire. 

  

 

Print Pattern Archive

A fab afternoon out of the studio this week for me with children's wear designer Jen Smith as we attended Cheryl O'Meara's talk in the wonderful Print Pattern Archive at the Manchester Monastery.  With Manchester's history of cotton fabric design it feels like an ideal home for the archive that is stacked full of vintage wallpaper, fabrics and hand painted pattern tiles. Working with many large fashion brands, Harrods Boden M&S Alexander McQueen to name a few, the studio translates these archive heritage designs to fabulous modern collections. An absolute joy to talk pattern, colour, repeats, trends and everything else. To visit the collection book via the Monastery for talks in 2026.

PRINT PATTERN ARCHIVE ... THE MANCHESTER MONASTERY | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: some of the many fabrics stacked in the archive, me and childrens wear designer jen smith at the print pattern archive, the manchester monastery courtyard, wallpaper swatches and pattern tiles, view of the print pattern studio area, one of the wallpaper books we looked through.

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KARIKA NOVA NEWSLETTER 

latest in the karika studio, notes in brief: 

- listening to the secret life of books pod
- reading there are rivers in the sky by elif shafak, a few recommendations have said this is the best book they've read in ages, i'm 200+ pages in and would agree
- enjoying a superb autumnal trip to tatton park this week with an apple tasting of rare varieties (supermarkets need up their 🍎 game!), gorgeous autumnal colour especially the acers at the japanese gardens, some spectacular fungi 🍄