Meet the new Hothouse Resident: Rachel Cowie
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your creative work:
I’m a multidisciplinary designer completing a Master’s in User Experience and Service Design with a First Class Honours in Graphic Design and Illustration. My practice is driven by curiosity and belief thoughtful design can strengthen connections between people, communities and the places they live. My work is heavily inspired by the natural world, history and stories, whether that means researching local heritage, understanding stakeholder needs or investigating how design can encourage more sustainable behaviours, circular economies, community engagement and improve biodiversity.
Outside of design you’ll either find me outside foraging and gardening, on an archery range with my trusty bow, attending talks or sat in a corner silversmithing or painting with oils and watercolours. This collection of interests is continuously reminding me the value of observation, patience and craft, and staying curious, while reminding me that creativity often comes from engaging with the world around us rather than sitting behind a screen. I enjoy collaborating with others to make complex ideas feel simpler and creating work that is both meaningful and approachable.
Can you tell us why you wanted to take part in the Hothouse Residency?
Having been a student for such a long period of time, achieving a First Class Honours in Graphic Design and Illustration, an industry placement and now as a Masters student in User Experience and Service Design, the residency felt like the perfect opportunity to bridge the distance between education and professional practice, providing the chance to learn from experienced creatives, and collaborate with other designers on a live project.
What excited me most was the opportunity to collaborate with other designers and learn from experienced creatives through mentoring and workshops to contribute on a live project and boost my confidence as a creative (something I believe a lot of individuals struggle with) and build up my network and understanding of the business side in a creative practice The opportunity to help deliver a project that demonstrates how design shapes our cities and everyday lives aligns closely with the kind of work I hope to build my career around.
Do you have an online portfolio where people can see more of your work?
On my Instagram
What would you like to achieve from this residency?
Through this residency I would like to develop my current skillset and understand the business side of a creative practice, expand my network and learn through mentoring and workshops the process of a live design project start to finish whilst also building up my confidence, an area I admittedly struggle with.
You can find out more about our 2026 Hothouse Residency here
