Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Staffordshire University at D&AD New Blood



Come and join us at New Blood in London.....there will be a warm welcome and some great work to see from our students on Graphic Design, Illustration and Advertising. Jai Ying Gnoh has been nominated for the Advertising & Direct Mail category, and achieved an In-book award for book cover design

D&AD New Blood Exhibition 2010. The Old Truman Brewery. 24-28th June 2010.

Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Student Grant

A quick note to say thankyou from all the staff and students at Staffordshire University to Grant Mitchell who is taking a bit of leave from teaching duties to concentrate on Transmission Creative. Hopefully this will be temporary........thanks for all his help, inspiration and dedication. mark.g.

All the world's a stage.....

Level 1 Graphic Design and Illustration students at Staffordshire University finished their first year on a high with a brief that required promotional material (poster+ creative mailer) for a stage production. Below are just some of the highlights.........


Antony & Cleopatra - Andrew Tomlins
Hair - Sarah Bucknall
La Boheme - Tom Oldham
Six Degrees of Separation - Richard Hajkowicz

The Snow Queen - Laura Malpass
The Power of Yes - Melanie Milne
The Snow Queen - Ben Lambe
Hair - Rebecca Clemson





Friday, 23 April 2010

The Thrill of the Chase


Students on Level 3 Graphic Design & Illustration at Staffordshire University took part in a brief set by external partners The Chase. Written by Lionel Hatch, Creative Director and co-founder and Harry Heptonstall, 2007 graduate of Staffs, the briefs were written to stimulate the mind and inform the designer; sharing a common need for a carefully considered balance between concept and craft.



Expressing the contrast of the depth of 'real love' with that of a more colder, superficial version. (Melissa Horne)




A conversation between two people who are about to split up. (Emily Fitzpatrick)




A conversation overheard at a bus stop which details the sadness of a woman's fading memories. (Anna Christoffer)






'Write down as many different uses you can think of for a brick'. This was the starting point for responding to 'there are two sides to every story.' (Andy Cooke)





Press Update


This month's Grafik features Staffordshire University's very own Andy Cooke, featuring a four page spread in the 'Talent' section. Also in the same issue is Harry Heptonstall (2007 Graduate) writing on the virtues of the Open University Logo.

Roaring success.....

Design Week have followed hot on the coat tails of Creative Review in featuring The Grey Matter Store on their website....check it out here:- http://www.designweek.co.uk/home/blog/blog-archive/roaring-trade/3012635.article

It's the THOUGHT that counts.....




For the first time this year, D&AD permitted lecturers to observe the judging process of their most prestigious awards. Over 3 days, both student and professional work was put through its paces at Olympia in London, in over 20 categories ranging from graphic design, product, advertising, art direction, illustration, web, packaging, branding, direct mail to radio and tv.


Each category was judged by 6 industry professionals in what was a highly rigorous judging process. Unfortunately lecturers were not permitted to have sight of the student work (though we may have had a quick peek). What was of interest was the judging criteria......
Firstly-The work must be a HIGHLY ORIGINAL AND INSPIRING IDEA.
Secondly-It must be exceptionally well executed.
Thirdly-It must be relevent to its context.

Good luck to those students who have entered.......results are announced in a few weeks.....