Aimee Rayner – Healing Through Colour

Aimee Rayner: Healing Through Colour 

“Colour brings connection. It’s playful, cultural, and something that bonds people together.” 

At this year’s New Designers exhibition in London, the Society of Dyers and Colourists introduced a new award celebrating the innovative use of colour in design. Among a host of talented entrants, Aimee Rayner stood out, captivating judges with her work that blends creativity, emotion, and wellbeing.  

A Path Less Ordinary

Aimee’s journey to design was unconventional. Passionate about helping others, she initially pursued nursing, believing it was the only way she could make a meaningful impact. But during the pandemic, as she worked on the front lines, she realized her true calling lay elsewhere. “I loved working with play therapists and physios, but I wasn’t drawn to the medical side. I needed to find a way to help people that suited me.” This insight led Aimee to take an Art and Design Foundation course, reigniting a lifelong love of creativity. From there, she pursued a degree in Surface Pattern Design at Swansea College of Art, discovering how colour and textiles could enhance wellbeing, mood, and connection.

Colour as a Language 

Aimee’s award-winning project was born from her hospital experiences and a deep connection with nature. She intuitively abstracts colours from landscapes, plants, and everyday objects, translating them into textiles that evoke calm, joy, and emotional resonance. 

“Colour isn’t just visual, it tells stories and creates a sense of wellbeing,” she explains. 

Her creative process balances intuition with research. Drawing on colour psychology and arts-for-health studies, she experiments with wools, silks, and diverse printing techniques, from digital and screen printing to devoré and needle punching. Each step, collecting natural objects, photographing textures, and testing dyes is a joyful exploration that informs the final collection. 

Balancing artistry with technical precision is a challenge Aimee embraces. “You have to be part artist, part chemist,” she laughs, referring to the meticulous understanding of dye processes and colour science required to achieve the right hue. Yet it’s this fusion of science and creativity that gives her work depth and resonance. 

Recognition and Reflection 

Winning the SDC Colour Award was both thrilling and humbling. 

“I thought it must be for someone else,” Aimee recalls. But the award validated not just her aesthetic choices, but the story and emotion woven into her designs. For Aimee, colour is more than decoration, it’s a vehicle for connection, healing, and joy. 

Her work underscores a powerful idea: design can improve lives. In hospitals, care spaces, or everyday environments, thoughtful use of colour has the ability to influence mood, tell stories, and foster community. 

Looking Ahead 

Aimee has recently begun an internship with Rolls-Royce, focusing on bespoke trim and colour design. While gaining insight into high-end industry practice, she remains committed to her own creative projects and the arts-for-health initiatives that inspire her. 

“I want to keep exploring ways that colour and design can help people while also enjoying the process myself.” 

From healthcare to high-end design, Aimee Rayner’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of following your passions and the ability of colour to touch hearts, spark joy, and create connection wherever it appears.