The Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2017

This prestigious prize has been running for over 30 years, and past winners have included many of today’s most successful and well-loved illustrators. The prize is a real highlight in the publishing calendar, and with the number of submissions continuing to grow year on year. 
The submission dates are 18th-20th April 2017 inclusive.

THE BRIEF

All entrants must submit:

1. Pencil roughs or sketches for a children's picture book – cover to cover – including text or a clear indication of the story line.

2. Finished artwork for at least four double-page spreads, or at least three spreads and a front cover.

Entrants should bear in mind what is appropriate for the child reader.

Macmillan accept entries both in physical portfolios, and digitally via the website. (Please note that if shortlisted, hard copies of digital entries must be supplied suitable for exhibition.) 

All details for this year’s Macmillan Prize for Illustration, including rules for submission, can be found at http://www.panmacmillan.com/macmillanprize.

Poster For Tomorrow - Competition

Poster For Tomorrow announces its 9th annual call for entries for social communication poster designs. The project has been running its yearly contest since 2009, and for the last eight years poster for tomorrow has focused on basic human rights, from freedom of expression to the universal right to healthcare.

The theme for the 2017 edition is Freedom of Movement.

In last year's brief we talked about "a world where boundaries are becoming less and less meaningful. Now more than ever, we are one people. No matter where we live, we are all equally powerless in the face of war or environmental disaster." 

We still believe this, but electorates in the Western World responded by voting to close borders and build walls to keep foreigners out. A violent rhetoric of hatred and fear is being constructed around people who's only 'crime' is to be born in a foreign country. We want to refocus the debate around immigration to what lies at its heart: people. 

An entry to the competition consists of a portrait format poster addressing the proposed creative brief. Posters may be designed by a single author or by a team. Designs submitted to the contest must be original artworks previously unpublished. Designs must consist entirely of the authors' own work and must not include any copyrighted material. Participants may submit up to 10 different posters.

Designs must be presented in vertical format. Entries must be submitted as JPG files of 2953x4134 pixels at a resolution of 150dpi (corresponding to 50x70 cm in printed size) saved in RGB colour space.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to designers and design students from all over the world.

Prize

Poster for Tomorrow will reward the best 100 designs, as selected by the jury, by including them in the Freedom of Movement exhibition as part of an event called "a day for tomorrow", that will be held in a series of cities around the world on 10th December 2017 to celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights.

A book about the exhibition will be published. The selected participants are entitled to a copy of the book free of charge (but are asked to cover the postage costs at their own expense).

More information can be found here

Student Showcase - Chris Cooper

 Second year Visual Communication student Chris Cooper has been using his own experience as a busker at the Edinburgh Festival to influence his design for a programme for the Edinburgh Fringe. Utilising his own photographs combined with lively colour and illustration Chris's design captures the excitement and variety of the Fringe.

Student Showcase - Richard Henning

Social media security is the topic of Richard Henning's project, investigating and highlighting the ease of harvesting personal data from social media accounts with inadequate regard for security. Richard's design features anonymised, real life case studies, re-envisaged as leaflets. His work will ultimately be presented as part of Information Overload, a third year Visual Communication exhibit, to take place in the Bessant Gallery of the School of Art from 9-20 March.

Student Showcase - Toby Sexty

'In a Parallel Universe' is the title of third year Visual Communication student, Toby Sexty's project on the theme of information overload. This project is inspired by Alvin Tofler's 1970 book, Future Shock, and looks at the human side of tomorrow, presenting a disturbing analysis of emerging society and how to come to terms with the future.

Toby's project enters a parallel universe and re-writes the invention of texting to predate the telephone call. Toby's design shows an early, imaginary texting machine, accompanying advertisements and design blueprints. His final work will be exhibited as part of Information Overload, a Visual Communication exhibition in March and also part of Artsfest.

Sketchbooks showcase with Heath Park School sixth form students

The Visual Communications department has welcomed Heath Park School sixth form students. 

Visitors were inspired by looking at undergraduate sketchbook work, shown here being presented by Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication, Ben Kelly. A range of work was discussed, including narrative illustration, editorial pieces, design with typography, collage, drawing, painting and three-dimensional designs. Inspired by seeing these examples, Heath Park School sixth form went on to undertake two workshops linked to their coursework, printmaking, responding by their interest in pop art, with subject leader of Visual Communication, John Clementson, and typography referencing the designs of contemporary graphic designers with Visual Communication Artist in Residence Josh Grice.

Visitors met Lisa Law from the University Careers department who discussed employability and placement support offered by the University of Wolverhampton as well the importance of arts graduates to the UK economy.

After lunch students were given an introductory tour of Wolverhampton Art Gallery's current Roy Lichtenstein Artists Rooms exhibition, including a contextual presentation tracing the origin of pop art.

Junior Graphic Designer - POSITION FILLED

POSITION FILLED
An opportunity has arisen for a Junior Graphic Designer to join the CLPT in-house creative studio based in Wolverhampton. If you’re a hard working, passionate and creative designer this is the right place for you! 

You will create a wide range of marketing collateral that adhere to the CLPT brand expression and standards for various educational establishments within the business. We are looking for someone who would be willing to take a proactive role within a studio and become a part of Creative Services Team that delivers one vision for the brand. There is plenty of room for growth for the right candidate. 

Main duties will include:

· Create artwork and develop creative concepts for all print collateral & digital assets (including billboards, brochures, leaflets, flyers, posters, document templates, environmental graphics, web banners, e-newsletters) following the brief of the various internal departments and business units

· Act as brand guardian by ensuring all designs follow the brand standards and are consistent with the brand strategy

· Photo editing, advertising asset resizing and art working

· Support the production of in-house printing and graphic display installations

· Support the art direction of photography and deliver corporate photographs. Previous photography experience that would a bonus

· Liaise with suppliers as and when needed to complete the brief from start to finish

· Attend meetings to understand specification of project, discuss briefs and suggest appropriate design solutions

· Keep abreast of emerging technologies and design software and ever changing design trends

· Present creative concepts in a professional manner

· Attend and photograph Trust events when necessary, occasionally outside office working hours

· Support Lead Creative and other designers with administrative tasks and general studio day to day tasks

Requirements:

· BA (Hons) in Visual Communications

· Excellent written and spoken English

· Knowledge of and passion for the creative industries

· Working knowledge of Adobe Suite CS6: InDesign, Photoshop, illustrator  Adobe Acrobat Pro and Microsoft office packages

· Broad understanding of layout and design, branding, typography and creative photography

· A working knowledge of CSS & HTML5 would be beneficial but not essential

· Ability to work quickly from concept creation to finished product

· Ability to manage own workload and flexible to adapt to changing demands

· A keen eye for detail is an absolute must

· Ability to generate multiple concepts for a project or a campaign

· Correctly name and save all workable artwork files in relevant areas of the database and maintain image library

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a wide range of internal and external clients

· A ‘can-do’ attitude, flexible approach and enthusiasm.