19.12.07
Cornwall's graphic designers claim first, second and third prizes at this year's FutureTalent awards

University College Falmouth's BA(Hons) Graphic Design course swept the boards at this year's FutureTalent Awards claiming first, second and third prizes.

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.

Philip Skinner was announced the overall winner of FutureTalent 2007 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; Will Kinchin won second prize; Hayley Kane won third prize, and Senior Lecturer, Bryan Clark, also collected Tutor of the Year award.

This year's competition attracted around 200 entries from leading graphic design courses across the country. Twelve students were then shortlisted and invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges which included creative directors from FutureBrand and selected FutureBrand clients. Four Falmouth students were selected at this stage in the process. The shortlist was then reduced to five, all of whom were invited to the award ceremony in London.

The brief encouraged students to re-address the traditional male and female categories of brand and product positioning. Students were therefore charged with identifying a product or service that could be repositioned towards an alternative gender orientated market.

Philip's prize was a three-month work placement at FutureBrand and prize money of £1,000; Will won a one-month work placement at FutureBrand and prize money of £750; and Hayley won a one-month placement at FutureBrand and prize money of £450.

The Awards were presented by FutureBrand Executive Creative Director, Shane Greeves and FutureBrand Europe's Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Smith, and several top-ranking FutureBrand employees commented on Falmouth's astounding success. Operations Manager and Project Leader for the FutureTalent Awards, Alan White, enthused: "Narrowing down our selection to just five finalists was especially tough this year because the students had really embraced the brief and shown a level of creative talent that experienced industry professionals would be incredibly proud of."

In response to the brief, Philip explored women's new-found sexual freedom by redesigning condom packaging to be more acceptable and attractive to this key target group.

 "First and foremost, it is the course's emphasis upon ideas-led design and lateral thinking that has shaped me as a designer," he explained in response to his success. "You get a lot of support from the tutors, who are always there if you need to bounce ideas off them. On top of this there's a great working atmosphere in the studios and this means I am able to discuss my work with my peers, which is hugely beneficial. Studying in Falmouth has increased my confidence, not only as a designer, but also in myself and in my ability to talk about my work."

Will presented Ladybrokes, which aimed to make betting more accessible to women, and echoed Philip's sentiments: "Being in the top twelve let alone the final three is such a confidence booster," he commented. "I now have much more confidence in my abilities as a graphic designer, and I am looking forward to the rest of my third year."

Hayley showcased Fe, a brand of lager aimed at women that repositioned male icons within a female context on the packaging, and feminised male spaces, such as the pub bar.

"The competition was a great experience that has helped to give me a good start to my final year and a boost of confidence in light of starting my career," Hayley added. "Brian and Jon were also a fantastic help in developing my work and helping me to win this prestigious prize."

"We are incredibly proud of our students' success in this national competition, confirming once again our reputation as one of the leading graphic design courses in the country," concluded course leader, Jon Unwin. "We have achieved first place in this competition for the past three years, but to win first, second and third prize tops it all."

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.

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

For further information please contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth on 01326 213792 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). UniversityCollegeFalmouth 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. 

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
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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