Heavy Metal..........

The newest addition to the Graphic Design & Illustration department........a van load of metal type! Kindly donated by Dorothy Gredley, the type arrived to the delight of everyone and will be put to use asap.

Pottering about in Stoke..........

Level 1 and Level 2 Illustration students received a tour of the Emma Bridgewater factory in Stoke, in order to record and respond to the environment in a creative, visual manner. The location is one of six in total the students are visiting as part of their Visual Storytelling Module.

Design Intervention.....

Level 1 and Level 2 Illustration students made a pilgrimage to Stoke Minster this week , where they had a 'lock-in' for a whole afternoon to record the 'sense of place'. Hopefully some divine results will come out of it!! Amen.

SPACE...the designer frontier........

Graphic Design & illustration students have a brand new space!!!!--and its quite big.....complete with tutorial rooms, computer suite and plenty of room to be creative!!!!! Watch this space for some exciting interior designing!!! Pics show level 1 students very busy at work........

STAFFordshire success

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design team were awarded the customer service team award for their exceptional commitment to students and the significant developments and achievements within the team over the last 12 months. Congratulations to Mark Garner, John Hudson, Bobbie Jones, Barbara Ridley, Sarah Rushton, Vicki Shields and Jim Williams.

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).

On Show

Graphic Design and Illustration students are currently exhibiting their final year work at Staffordshire University from now until Saturday 19th June..........a fantastic collection of creativity, inventive solutions and amazing projects is a testament to the students' hard work and focus. Check the university website for opening times.

Be amazed.........