Students win design awards from industry experts

Six University of Gloucestershire students have won awards for their creativity and imagination after collaborating with the UK’s largest independent agency network and a major sportswear brand.

The award-winning The&Partnership presented second-year BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Creative Advertising students from the University with a live industry brief to develop an identity for an upcoming range of techwear for INEOS.

The students put their academic learning into practice by working alongside experts from INEOS to produce impactful designs that potentially would attract attention from millions of people worldwide.

Following an appraisal of the designs, The&Partnership awarded Aidan Mckillop-Smith (Graphic Design) their Creative Excellence Gold Award and a three-month paid placement with the company in London.

Aidan said: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with The&Partnership on a live brief, and I can’t wait to continue learning from them. The entire experience was incredibly valuable, and both my skills and confidence have grown from it.” 

Freya Rowley and Ashleigh Bales (both Creative Advertising) won The&Partnership’s Creative Excellence Silver Award for their designs, while Graphic Design students Dan Newton, Abiola Afolabi and Czarek Dera were awarded Bronze.

Claudia Brewster, Senior Lecturer in Design within the University’s School of Creative Arts, said: “We’re always looking to provide our students with excellent opportunities to enhance their academic learning and gain skills and vital experience in the real-world.

“Our collaboration with The&Partnership is providing our students with opportunities showcase their talents, make important connections within the industry, and secure paid placements.

“We’re extremely proud of our six students who won Creative Excellence Awards from The&Partnership – it’s a fantastic achievement in their second year and bodes well for their future careers.”

Picture: from left to right, Dan Beckett, Chief Design Officer and Partner, The&Partnership; Devon McGowan-Wachs, Senior Designer, The&Partnership; students Dan Newton, Aidan Mckillop-Smith, Abiola Afolabi, Czarek Dera, Ashleigh Bales, Freya Rowley