The Model Obaly Young Package Competition

Model Obaly has announced the 22nd year of the Young Package competition. The topic of the Young Package 2017 is: Open & Play

We invite students and young designers to use modern technologies to package a favourite product in a playful way, create a surprise, or design packaging children would like to play with.

The motto  "Play with packaging" follows on from last year’s topic – PACKAGE UNLIMITED, in which students and young designers created packaging that had several uses.

Young Package is a competition in packaging design. It is meant for young designers of up to 30 years of age. Since its foundation in 1996, the Young Package competition has achieved an international reputation and a distinctive position among competitions for young designers. Every year, several hundred participants from the whole world send their entries.

Young Package focuses on packages made of paper. The competition was founded to invite students and creative people, and challenge them to create designs of corrugated and smooth cardboard or other paper materials widely used in packaging design. 

Young Package is held annually. Its founder Model Obaly, the Czech branch of international Model company, is a leading package manufacturer and a great believer in supporting and challenging young creative talents. Since 2009, the competition has been organised by CZECHDESIGN.CZ.

Entry is free and the deadline for registration and submission is March 25 2017

For more details  or to register look here

Heath Park School Visit to The School of Art

The School of Art has today welcomed staff and fifty students from Heath Park School, visiting the University for an Experience Day. Their visit to the School of Art included an interesting talk by Divisional Leader Maggie Ayliffe and Graduate Teaching Assistant Sarah Byrne on life as a University student and the importance and value of the creative industries.

Heath Park students enjoyed workshops in Visual Communication, Fine Art, Photography, 3D design and Animation. Visitors had lunch in the new University refectory, before visiting the Harrison Learning Centre for a tour of the extensive art and design library. Everyone had an enjoyable day.

Marie Muzhuzha: Graduate Success, Q&A

We’ve caught up with BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Graphic Design) graduate Marie Muzhuzha who has been awarded The Sheaffer Prize for Outstanding Work on Live Commissions in Graphic Communications!

1. What degree did you study with us and when did you graduate?

I studied the BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Graphic Design) course and graduated September 2016 with a 2:1.

2. What did you do after graduation?

I was fortunate enough to land a job a month before my graduation! I am carrying on gaining experience within design.

3. What is your current job?

I am currently working for a software development company called Fiverivers as a digital designer. I generate anything from logos, branding, product and web design. I am undertaking a few freelance jobs alongside it for companies such as Freemans and SCC.

4. What’s the best part of your job?

The best part I would say is gaining experience in the corporate industry. Working alongside a talented team and being able to brand an entire company is very fulfilling.

5. How did studying at the University of Wolverhampton either help you to gain this job – or how have your studies benefitted you in your day-to-day role?

I have gained a lot of industry experience from the University of Wolverhampton prior applying for a job. I think it is fundamentally important and fantastic that the University of Wolverhampton supplies and equips its students with such experiences before they leave the University of Wolverhampton. The Artsfest competition brief was a huge breakthrough and impactful in my design career, it helped me realise I could achieve something if I worked hard enough.

6. What, for you, was the best part of studying at the University of Wolverhampton?

The best part was the help and feedback I received from my tutors. I could not thank them enough for the hours they put into every student to make sure we all succeed. I will miss having such support.

7. What’s next for you? Any goals or aspirations still to achieve?

I believe I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can achieve. I am full of energy and very optimistic about my career. I just want to make some sort of contribution to the design world. In order to do that, I am going to look for every opportunity available to me, take every opportunity given to me and create an opportunity for others.

Orion Publishing Visit Visual Communication Students

Visual Communications staff and students want to say a big thank you to Loulou Clark and Abi Hartshone of Orion Publishing for giving a fascinating lecture on their careers to date, the work of Orion Publishing, and also for introducing the Orion Publishing Group Art and Design Competition 2017.

This years brief offers the opportunity to design a cover for The Reader by Prof Bernhard Schlink. Received with critical acclaim and celebrating twenty years since it's first publication, The Reader was turned into an Oscar winning movie starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.

A previous winner of the Orion Publishing Group Art and Design Competition was Visual Communication Alumni and Cumberland Pencil Company graduate award winner, Kate Ackley. For more information look here and here

Calling all artists for Wolves in Wolves project!

We’re looking for talented artists to be part of the biggest public art project to take place in the city during the summer of 2017.

The project called Wolves in Wolves will see 30 beautifully decorated large Wolf sculptures installed across the city centre. The Wolves will showcase the wealth of artistic talent in the area, whilst positively contributing to the economic, cultural and social life of the city.

An information event is taking place this Sunday (4 December 2016) at the Art Gallery, Lichfield Street from 11.30am – 12.30pm, it will be a great opportunity to learn more about the project and how you can take part.

For more information contact Jagtar Singh on 550357 or email Jagtar.singh@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

Student Success - Designs for Scouting Magazine

Regular readers of this blog will recall the third year live project run by Marc Austin and Jeff Leak to design a feature spread for Scouting magazine - details can be found here and here. 

The Winter 2016-17 issue of Scouting has now been published with the winning design by Paulina Wesolowska. Shortlised designs are also shown on the reverse of this issues carrier sheet.

Scouting is a popular and widely read magazine, with an average UK circulation of 99,917* Speaking of Paulina's double page spread, Chief Scout Bear Grylls said "young people never fail to inspire me"

Thank you again to the Scout Association and Immediate Media for offering and supporting this project and congratulations to all students involved.

* figure based on circulation figures for 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2015