Top graphic designers praise student creativity

Worcester College of Technology’s creative minds received further recognition this week when prominent graphic design company, Design Religion, praised the quality of work being produced in a design project they have been working on with the College’s aspiring graphic designers.

Usually more familiar working with top clients such as Martini, Force India Formula One and Aston Martin Racing, Design Religion became clients themselves when two groups of students were set the task of designing a complete student survival pack for those going to university for the first time. The two teams were allowed only a few weeks to design and plan the project, before producing a prototype and presenting the concept to the company.

Designer Greg Russell, also a previous student at the College, commented on the project: “the quality of work the student designers have produced is really impressive. I was asked to work with them individually but when I saw the standard being produced I was very keen to get the whole company involved. This is the first project we have ever done with students and we’re really surprised at how they have come along in such a short space of time”. Managing Director Martin Pope adds, “It was good to see the depth the teams went into. The presentations were fantastic!”

Following a tough grading criteria, the judges from Design Religion decided on the winning concept. David Church, who also designed the logo for the Worcester Pear Tree project, was on the winning team with classmates Steve Law, Elizabeth Handley and Elliot Parker. Their winning idea focused on an army survival pack and included the idea of a city map and a teabag for the first cup of tea at University. Elizabeth commented, “It was fantastic to get to work with such an inspirational company. Our major challenge came when we tried to make the pack appeal to males and females”.

Design Religion was so impressed with the work the students have produced that they have now taken a rare move to invite the winning team to the company’s offices to gain some work experience. Elliot Parker said, “Work experience within the design industry is extremely difficult to come by, so having the chance to work with a company that has worked with such major clients really is an amazing opportunity. Our lecturers contacts within the industry have enabled us to work on some great live projects and helped gain us real work experience”.

For those interested in a career in graphic design, Worcester College of Technology is now able to offer both full and part time graphic design courses to suit various abilities. To find out more, please contact the College on 01905 743456.