Future Makers
Reimagining Plastic

Where Creativity Meets Sustainability!

Future Makers is a pioneering plastic recycling studio, built on years of research, experimentation and creative community building. Today, we transform recycled plastic into products, artworks and installations that challenge perceptions and create lasting impact. From award-nominated designs to large-scale regeneration projects, we’re proud to be shaping a new future for recycled materials in the East Midlands and beyond.

Here’s a look at some of the key milestones in the Future Makers timeline:

2018

Flyer for Future Creative Production Space Nottingham with a green background. The left side has the title "Future Creative Production Space Nottingham" with line and cube graphics. The center provides details about a new production space, emphasizing creativity, research, innovation, and industry. The right side features various images depicting creative and industrial spaces, and a logo for Arts Council England at the bottom.

Arts Council England provided crucial funding to initiate research, laying the foundation for a visionary creative hub in the East Midlands.

2019

Group of people in a workshop with wood and tools.

We developed our concept and steadily built a network of stakeholders who shared our passion and commitment.

2020

A brick building labeled 'Arlo House' with signage indicating it is available to let. It is surrounded by a gravel yard with puddles and sparse vegetation. There is a bicycle parked by the entrance and a car partially visible. The sky is overcast.

We reached a significant milestone when we secured a lease on a 9,000 square ft site with Blueprint Regeneration, a property developer committed to community, collaboration, sustainable homes and workspaces.

2021

A group of people sitting at a long table in an indoor space, eating and drinking with a colorful food truck in the background. The food truck has a vibrant design with various patterns and serves as a backdrop for the diners.

Our focus shifted to cultivating a creative community. Collaborations with regional artists and cultural producers were at the forefront, with vibrant social events and captivating performances.

2022

A collection of assorted colorful plastic bottle caps on the left and a textured artwork made from similar materials being held on the right.

We secured a grant through Broadway and their studio Near Now. This provided us with the opportunity to develop a plan for an innovative waste plastic repurposing studio within the heart of Future Makers.

2023

Two people assembling metal frames on a wooden table with tools and screws.

We achieved another significant milestone by securing a National Lottery Project Grant through Arts Council England and the Creative Catalyst 2023 Fund from Innovate UK. This funding enabled us to acquire the latest equipment and develop dynamic projects and programs centred around our Waste Plastic initiative.

2024

We expanded our impact with ambitious new projects. Production was scaled to deliver more recycled plastic than ever before. Collaborating with artists, schools and industry partners, we transformed materials into functional, beautiful and enduring creations. We solidified our role as leaders in sustainable design and innovation.

Tristan Hessing

The Visionary Founder Behind Future Makers

Black and white photo of a man with a beard and short hair, facing the camera.

“At Future Makers, we envision a future where plastic waste is transformed
into art, innovation, and opportunity”.

Tristan Hessing, a Nottingham-based cultural producer, is the driving force behind Future Makers. Partnering with property developers Blueprint Regeneration, he launched Future Makers as part of the Trent Basin Makers Yard placemaking initiative.

Tristan has a long history in Nottingham, and since graduating from Nottingham Trent University’s Fine Art course in 2004, he’s gone on to create a number of different artistic spaces across the city.

With a background in project management, consultation, custom fabrication, and technical facilities for the creative industries, Tristan brings a wealth of experience to this transformative endeavour. He co-founded One Thoresby Street and Moot all contributing to the vibrant artistic landscape of Nottingham.

Black and white photo of a smiling woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a dark top, in front of a plain light background.

Gill Barker

Marketing Manager

Meet Gill Barker, our Marketing Manager at Future Makers. With a diverse background spanning over 15 years in the charity sector, Gill is passionate about mission-driven marketing and believes in the power of authentic storytelling to inspire connection, shift perspectives and drive meaningful change.

With a BA (Hons) in International Business from Nottingham Trent University, Gill combines strategic thinking with a creative, human centred approach to marketing. Her work focuses on creating thoughtful, long lasting campaigns that align values with action.

Gill has led and contributed to a range of creative collaborations and sustainability initiatives, including the NTU x Emmanuel House project, which explored the intersection of social impact, creativity and ethical fashion.

Her dedication to sustainability and creative spirit make her a valuable addition to our team. She brings clarity, integrity and creativity to our mission to reshape the narrative around plastic waste, helping to communicate complex issues in ways that are accessible and engaging.

Meet Janis, our Workshop Technician at Future Makers. A graduate in Furniture & Product Design from Nottingham Trent University, Janis began as an intern and has since become an expert in our recycled plastic sheet production.

He works with recycled plastic to create premium awards, sunglasses, planters, and home furniture. Continuously experimenting with sheet making, finishing, and sustainable design, Janis is passionate about pushing the boundaries of materials and challenging negative perceptions of plastic. His practical approach transforms recycled plastic into functional and artistic products, inspiring others to reimagine its potential.

Janis Zube

Workshop Technician

Meet Dawn, our Textile Technician at Future Makers.

With over a 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, Dawn brings expert technical knowledge from designing and leading collections for high street and online brands. After stepping away from fast fashion to better align her work with her values, she joined Future Makers to explore more sustainable, future focused approaches to textiles.

Dawn is currently working with recycled materials including giant inflatables, developing bags, wallets and functional products while exploring no-waste pattern cutting and laser-cut detailing. She’s really looking forward to exploring more collaborations with local businesses, helping turn plastic based material streams into valuable, circular products.

Dawn Sansome

Textile Technician

Image credit (Top of page) : Tom Richardson & Katharina Fitz