New Blades 2025 Celebrates the Next Generation of Modelmakers

Published 27th June 2025

This year’s New Blades Exhibition, hosted by 4D Modelshop, was a fantastic showcase of graduate modelmaking work. We dropped into the exhibition yesterday and were seriously impressed with the level of talent and imagination from this year’s cohort.

From film props to projects focused on conservation, it was clear just how broad and exciting modelmaking is. The variety was huge, but what really stood out was how thoughtful the work was – this new wave of makers aren’t just technically skilled, they’re thinking hard about what they create, how they do it, and the stories behind it all.

Some standout highlights from the projects included:

• A beautifully engineered prop coffee machine that explored industrial design through fine modelmaking.

• Small-scale dioramas 

• Wearable sculptural pieces, from lifelike latex facemasks to a hand-crafted Edward Scissorhands glove.

• A delicate crochet light installation, marrying traditional textiles with modern fabrication.

• A collection of creatures inspired by ocean conservation, combining storytelling with ecological awareness.

We also had the chance to catch up with established professionals from companies like Amalgam Modelmaking and Heatherwick Studio, who shared thoughts on the future of the industry, the importance of hands-on prototyping, and the value of exhibitions like New Blades in connecting talent with opportunity.

The full podcast episode – featuring interviews with both graduates and industry voices – will be released in the coming weeks. It’s a fascinating window into how modelmaking is evolving, not just as a profession, but as a form of cultural expression.