Monday 5 July 2010

Staffordshire 'books' itself another award at D&AD New Blood!









Unlike the England team recently.........Staffordshire University Graphic Design, Illustration and ABM students provided another successful exhibition at the D&AD New Blood exhibition, London - full of passion, creativity and skill !!!

This year D&AD provided a change of venue and a slightly different format for the exhibition. The venue at the Truman Brewery was excellent...and is in the centre of one of the most fashionable design led communities so the number of industry contacts made for both Graphics/ABM staff and students was excellent. There was an extensive program of industry workshops which the majority of students signed up to, they received positive feedback on their portfolios and many opportunities for securing work placements/job opportunities.

The Graphics/Illustration stand and ABM stand were highly praised by all visitors with the Graphics stand attracting a lot of visitors because of the large scale work (a huge rocket and very big baby!).

The president of D&AD Paul Brazier (and executive creative director of AMVBBDO - 
Creative advertising and brand management agency) was particularly impressed and was keen to build links with Staffs Uni, the D&AD education team (and event organisers) clearly rate the University as one of the major players in providing excellent creative opportunities for its students, throughout the event they directed visitors to the Staffordshire stands knowing that we would be enthusiastic/friendly and have excellent work to display.

For the fourth year running a student from Graphics was awarded a New Blood “best in show” award, a great achievement especially as year on year we see the quality of work on display improve. Gemma's book attracted a lot of attention throughout the week!

Jia Ying Gnoh a L3 Graphics student had been nominated for a D&AD Award for his competition work, and received a “commendation” for his work.--Well done, again, Jia!!!!!

Pictured (in no particular order - the Graphic Design and Illustration stand with Aaron Alexander explaining how fireworks 'work', ABM enjoy a farewell drink, Gemma's winning book design, Stuart Talbot celebrates the New Blood Award and accepts the prize on behalf of Gemma).