A national design competition launched  at the beginning of the year has announced its shortlist of eight artists and makers in the running to scoop the top prize. 

Madeinscotland.com's graduate design competition received hundreds of entrants and judges considered each one on the grounds of product design, creative potential and business outlook. 

Judges included textile designer Gillian Kyle, fashion and accessories designer Kirsteen Stewart, and blogger Wendy Gilmour. 

The eight finalists will now be in with a chance of winning free entry on to Madefromscotland.com, PR coverage for their brand and products, and mentor sessions to help their businesses grow.

The eight finalists are as follows: 

Ellis Mhairi Cameron (Jewellery)

A contemporary art jewellery business based in Glasgow, Ellis Mhairi Cameron produces bespoke pieces. Since graduating with a First Class Honours from the Silversmithing & Jewellery Department at The Glasgow School of Art, Ellis's jewellery has been showcased both at The Glasgow School of Art Degree Show and New Designers 2014. Ellis has also been selected from a broad range of makers to undertake residencies in Laugervatn, Iceland and Aberdeen, as well as an artist-in-residence spot at Glasgow School of Art. Following the completion of her residencies in 2015, Ellis hopes to undertake further study as she believes this will help the work of her business remain fresh and innovative. 

Georgina Yvonne (Jewellery)

Georgina Yvonne, run by jewellery maker Georgina Ainslie, provides customers with handcrafted 99.9% silver necklaces. Georgina's designs reflect the beauty of the world with her four main collections: 'The Simplicity of Nature', which focuses primarily on expressing the beauty of nature in its most effortlessly elegant form; 'The Bouquet', which aims to showcase nature's beauty through the symbol of a flower; 'To Inspire, To Enlighten', which focuses on inspiring people through each design's motivational meaning thus enhancing positivity; and 'Paying Homage To..', which focuses on "paying homage" to ancient art movements by adopting their characteristics into the jewellery. Based in Galashiels, Georgina is a self-taught jewellery maker.

Katie Bann Luxury Accessories (Textiles)

Based in Fife, Katie Watson is the Creative Director behind Katie Bann Luxury Accessories, designing a range of printed textiles. Specialising in women's luxury scarves, Katie's designs feature hand drawn imagery contrasted with unusual elements; the juxtaposition of photography, painting, drawing and collage creates unique and beautiful prints. Before setting up her business, Katie studied Textile Design at Edinburgh College of Art and she exhibited her work at both New Designers and the ECA Degree Show. Katie also received an award from the Worshipful Dyers of London for the best use of colour in a collection, and a nomination for the Texprint award. 

Knit Knot Knit (Textiles)

Dundee-based Glasgow School of Art graduate Laura Muir has set up Knit Knot Knit to merge the gap between art and design, and allow customers to engage with an artistic conceptual vision whilst being able to purchase a usable, wearable product which reminds them of this vision. As well as desirable knitted and knotted fabrics suitable for interiors (blankets, rugs, cushions) Knit Knot Knit also designs accessories (snoods, scarves, head warmers) that encase and enhance the human form. Laura has the focus of keeping the Knit Knot Knit process within Scotland, sourcing materials from local suppliers. 

Lucie Hunter Jewellery (Jewellery)

Since graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone, Lucie Hunter has established her own jewellery design business which celebrates the connection we have with the land we live on and takes this as inspiration to create pieces in silver and gemstones. Lucie is particularly inspired by the beauty of the West Coast and the islands of Staffa and Iona, which are represented in a contemporary form within her jewellery designs. A current member of Dundee jewellery collective Vanilla Ink, Lucie plans to launch her newest designs in September as part of Scottish Jewellery Week. 

Naromode (Textiles)

Naromode is an independent fashion label established by Iain MacDonald and Anna Thorn, who both received a BA Honours degree in Textiles and Surface Design from Gray's School of Art. Now based in Glasgow, Naromode (which means "narrative fashion") takes inspiration from fairytales, capturing the essence of the story in statement digital prints and letting it flow through the collection as it is narrated down the catwalk. Naromode focuses on printed womenswear clothing, producing wearable garments with simple silhouettes. Just one month following the launch of Naromode's first collection, the business was selected by Scotland Re: Designed as a finalist in the 2013 New Talent competition.  

Rebecca Sarah Black Jewellery (Jewellery)

Rebecca Sarah Black Jewellery is a statement, bespoke jewellery brand, with each product being handmade by Duncan of Jordanstone graduate Rebecca. Inspired by traditional folklore and the local landscape, Rebecca creates one-off pieces as well as key lines that evoke a sense of place and identity. Specialising in the use of natural materials mixed with precious metal, Rebecca transforms recycled materials within jewellery into high luxury items. Since graduating with a first class honours degree in Jewellery & Metal Design, Rebecca has displayed her work at New Designers 2014 and been awarded the Tayberry Gallery Degree Show Award.

Terri Campbell Jewellery (Jewellery)

Based in Dumfries and Galloway, Terri Campell's inspiration for her jewellery designs comes from her home environment; nature, organic shapes, stone walls and old farm out-buildings are some of her key interests. Terri's jewellery is made from precious metals, mainly silver and gold, and she also has a range of products that includes materials from around the farm such as sheep horn. Through her Degree Show and New Designers Terri has been invited to show her work in exhibitions and galleries, such as Dazzle & Gill Wing Gallery.