Fur your inFURmation...........

Gemma Brownhill, who will be moving into her 2nd year on the Graphic Design Degree course at Staffordshire University, has been awarded a Special Commendation in the UK & Ireland round of the 2009 Design Against Fur competition. 

Her work will be displayed on both the Respect for Animals website (www.respectforanimals.org) and on the Design Against Fur website (www.inFURmation.com) from August.

In addition, it will be exhibited in London throughout September.  “Design Against Fur at dreamspace” will run, Monday to Friday, from 1 – 30 September: www.adrem.uk.com/dreamspace   The exhibition is a partner event of the London Design Festival, which will take place across London from 19 – 27 September.

Gemma will also be attending a prize presentation in London, in September. Well done!

Graduation 09

A fond farewell was given to the class of 2009 at Trentham Gardens in Stoke on Trent on Friday 10th July, good luck to all!!  pictured is Andy Poole, doing his best to keep his thumbs cool in the heat of the day.

Award Bored???

We forgive the reader for being slightly 'yawnfull' of hearing , yet again, about the triumphant Staffordshire Uni Students' performance over the past few months in National and International competitions. To be frank, we cant keep up either!!!  

The latest graphic darlings were Matt Forrester and Mark Johnson (D&AD best student work in London in July), this , together with awards for Animation and Advertising & Branding, gave Staffordshire University pole position in the 2009 D&AD New Blood Exhibition, with 5, yes, 5 awards!!!!  

Following hot on the successful coat-tails of these was Ben Fantauzzo who received a commendation at the prestigious D&AD awards ceremony. Not to mention our Shelf Award winners and let's face it, the whole class of 2009 who, in their own special way have all been winners! So, we are clearing the mantle for next year's awards as we speak-and striving to build on this year's success. Well done to all. Pictured (top) Ben Fantauzzo and (below) left, Mark Johnson, right, Matt Forrester.

Northern Exposure

Simon Pioli & Jia Ying Gnoh from Staffordshire University mixed with professional designers, fellow design students, rock stars (yes-rock stars), TV presenters and over 250 guests at The Rose Bowl, Leeds...which hosted the award ceremony for the Northern Design Competition.

After enjoying roast beef, yorkshire pudding (& gravy of course), the 50 selected students were introduced (out of over 3,ooo entries), and awarded their prizes (one of which was given out by Riki Wilson of The KaiserChiefs......(former graphics students at Leeds). Simon & Jia were 2 out of 7 students in the Graphic Design category which was won by a student at Lincoln. It was still a great achievement for what was Level 1 and Level 2 work, as most students had already graduated, or in some cases, were doing PhDs.

So, after the awards, the band kicked in and the remaining free beer

& wine polished off! An excellent night and a lot of interest was shown towards Simon and Jais work. Better luck next time guys. You can view some of Simon's work at www.simonpioli.com

(Is that Margaret Mumford recruiting for the next Apprentice??)

It's Win up North....

Simon Pioli and Jia Ying Gnoh, both Level 2 Graphics Students, are finalists  in the prestigious Northern Design Competition  - which hosts its Award Dinner later this month. 

In each of the six main categories, there will be £1,000 cash prize for each category winner. There will be four runners-up per category who will each recieive £100. The overall Competition winner will receive £2,000. Other cash throwing itself about includes £500 for the Young Northern Designer Winner, with £500 going to the college/university, plus, £100 for the runners-up. Judges include Wayne Hemingway and from Elmwood, Richard Sholey. Pictured is Simon's entry, a piece designed for a Visual Communication brief at Staffs.

Fruit of our labour

A reminder that the Staffordshire University 3rd year BA Hons Graphic Design show opens on Friday 5th June.

If you're looking to cherry pick the best in design talent then I implore you to widen your net and give the students at Staffordshire your full attention.

For more information visit http://www.staffs.ac.uk/faculties/art_and_design/showcase/art_and_design_show/index.jsp