16.02.07
Cornwall's graphic designers claim six out of nine FutureTalent awards

University College Falmouth's BA(Hons) Graphic Design course swept the boards at this year's FutureTalent Awards claiming six out of a possible nine.

Leading brand strategists, FutureBrand, launched the FutureTalent Awards in order to strengthen their links with colleges across the UK and seek out the most creative student talent.

Ryan Tym was announced the overall winner of FutureTalent 2006 at a ceremony held at London private members club, The Hospital, to a packed house of FutureBrand employees, clients, and students and staff from other institutions. Alex Stewart won the Packaging category; Gwyn Davies won the Identity category; Gemma Stoyles was runner up in the Packaging category, Ryan Tym was also the Wild Card winner, and Andy Neal won the Best Tutor award.

Ryan's prize was a year's work placement in FutureBrand's offices across Europe and prize money of £1,000; Alex and Gwyn each won three-month work placements at FutureBrand London and prize money of £500, and Gemma won a one-month placement at FutureBrand London.

The Awards were presented by Sir Peter Blake and FutureBrand Europe's Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Smith, and several top-ranking FutureBrand employees commented on Falmouth's astounding success.

"The overall quality and consistency of ideas at Falmouth were mentioned several times," said Best Tutor winner, Andy Neal. "The integrity of Falmouth's Graphic Design degree course was also referred to, as well as the need for us all to take on board just how significant these wins are for us as a team. This is the second year running that Falmouth has won the overall FutureTalent award and we couldn't be more delighted to have achieved even greater success this year," he added.

The FutureTalent Awards Packaging Brief was to create the first truly desirable non-alcoholic soft drink for 18 to 35 year-olds to be sold in bars, clubs and pubs.

Ryan's creation of ju-ICE, a fruit flavoured ice cube, and an entire range of associated products, set him apart from the rest. The judges were impressed with the overall level of professionalism and thoroughness of his development work, as well as the strength of his concept and overall execution.

Alex presented Frusion, a mix of regular fruit juices with unusual mixers such as ginger and cinnamon, allowing consumers to create their own cocktails. Advertising and point-of-sale materials made the most of the mix-and-match idea and the judges loved the concept and execution.

Gemma showcased Tease, an iced tea with a widget that slowly released the tea infusion once the bottle was opened. The fact that Gemma's product breathed new life into an out-dated drink, making it highly suitable to the young target market, as well as her packaging design and brand placement impressed the judges.

The FutureTalent Awards Identity Brief challenged students to evolve the brand identity of McDonald's in tune with changing consumer values and consumption habits. Gwyn's winning solution effectively re-branded the global multinational – and replaced its infamous golden arches logo with a modified heart. Judges applauded the boldness of his thinking as well as the final execution.

"I warmly congratulate our six winners on these significant achievements," said Course Leader, Jon Unwin. "To win the overall FutureTalent Award once is significant, but to win it twice firmly places Falmouth's graphics course at the top of the tree. To win six out of nine awards is also a real testament to the hard work of staff and students in an extremely competitive arena."

BA(Hons) Graphic Design at University College Falmouth was recently hailed 'a benchmark for others to follow' by external verifiers. For further information about the course, please visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/graphics, contact Admissions on 01326 214352 or email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk.

For further information contact Jilly Easterby at the University College Falmouth on 01326 211077 or email jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

University College Falmouth is internationally known for its undergraduate and postgraduate courses in art, design and media. In March 2004, its standing and quality were recognised when the Privy Council granted the College the power to award its own taught degrees.

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative, which is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

The reputation of BA(Hons) Graphic Design within the creative industries attracts visiting speakers from leading design companies as well as valuable student work placements.

This reputation is continually endorsed by its success in competitions, such as the D&AD Student Awards, the Royal Society of Arts design awards, the Young Creatives Network national student design awards, the FutureTalent Awards and the International Society of Typographic Designers' student assessment.

BA(Hons) Graphic Design at University College Falmouth is also a recipient of the highest award that the ISTD can bestow – the ISTD Peter Stone Prize – because of the major contribution that the course has made to graphic design education.

For further information, please visit www.graphicsfalmouth.com

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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