Visual communication Graduation Awards 2017

Congratulations to this years Visual Communication graduation award winners. Thanks must go to the organisations presenting prizes this year, The Express and Star, The School of Art and Sheaffer.

The Express and Star Award for Best Digital Editorial Design in Graphic Communication 

Sasha Wood 

Wolverhampton School of Art - The Visual Communication Department Prize

Tom Lavin 

The Sheaffer Prize for Use of Language in Graphic Projects 

Jerome Wooton 

The Sheaffer Prize for Outstanding Work on Live Commissions in Graphic Communications 

Georgia Perrin 

(New this year) The Sheaffer Prize for Dissertation in Visual Communication 

Rhiannon Powell 

Awards will be presented at the graduation ceremony at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton in September. 

New Sheaffer Award for Visual Communication Dissertation

Sheaffer are generously presenting a new graduation award for excellence in Visual Communication Dissertation. In recognition of scholarship, research and analysis, the first winner of this award is Rhiannon Powell, for her dissertation Curses, Towers and Perceptions: How is the theme of entrapment visually represented in Disney films. Rhiannon's writing compares early and modern films, exploring if and how representations have been linked to society.

Rhiannon says

"The representation of physical and mental entrapment has been achieved in Disney films through physical objects used for trickery, versus magical powers reflected by settings and emotions. The theme of entrapment has and will continue to be a significant aspect in Disney films, reflecting context and history."

Congratulations Rhiannon and a big thank you to Sheaffer for presenting this new award.

Halesowen College visit Visual Communication Final Show

Halesowen College staff and students have visited this years final show. The group enjoyed all areas of the display and were particularly pleased to meet up with and talk to graduating students who are alumni of Halesowen College. The group took extra time to examine displays of developmental work, examining the process behind design for Visual Communication.

Award Nomination for Excellence in Enriching the Learning Experience

John Clementson, subject leader for Visual Communication has been nominated for one of the “Vice Chancellors Awards for Staff Excellence.” John has been nominated via the student survey responses for an award in the Enriching the Learning Experience category.

In both the surveys of the undergraduate students (not in their final year) UK Engagement Survey (UKES) and the Postgraduate Taught Survey (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey) participants were asked: 

"We are seeking nominations for the Annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Staff Excellence. Would you like to name an individual or team who has demonstrated their commitment to enriching the learning experience? This could include through creative and stimulating teaching, learning and assessment methods; use of innovative technology; entrepreneurial opportunities or through innovative research" 

Congratulations John

Visitors to the Final Show

Visual Communication staff and students have welcomed visitors from Windsor High School, Halesowen to this years final show. The group enjoyed all areas of the show, including displays of design process, special themed exhibits on the topic of Information Overload and the individual student exhibits. Windsor High School were particularly interested in the diverse options for high quality print available in the Art School from screen printing and all forms of printmaking to the latest in digital print technology.

Dudley College 'A' level students Visit the Visual Communication Final Show

Dudley College 'A' level students have visited the Visual Communication final show and for college lecturers, Gillian Townsend and Chris Worley, the visit was also a fond return to the Art School where they studied. 

The group were inspired by the range and quality of work on display and students were thrilled to have the chance to see portfolios of student work mixing disciplines and approaches within project solutions.

Norton Canes High School Visits the Visual Communication Final Show

Staff and students from Norton Canes High School Cannock have visited the Visual Communication final show. The group have enjoyed seeing the diverse range of work on display and particularly relished the opportunity to meet and speak to graduating students.

“It has been wonderful to chat to Visual Communication students and fascinating to find out where their ideas have come from. We have enjoyed hearing how their work has developed as well as gaining a view of the process behind the finished designs and hearing about their experience of University life. We look forward to visiting again next academic year.” said Alexina Evans of Norton Canes High School

The Doctor Visits the final Show

Graduating student Jerome Wooton is a Dr Who enthusiast who has used his passion for the time travelling doctor within his third year graphics work. Jerome's Gallifreyan language themed designs are displayed in the Tardis and are attracting much attention. The Tardis and Jerome's designs can be seen as part of the Visual Communication final show until June 21.

Jerome Wooton and Graphics Course leader Marc Austin are shown here being interviewed by the press.

Final Show - June 2017

The Visual Communication final show private view has taken place and the exhibition is now open to the public until June 21. Showing the work of final year Illustration and Graphic Communication students is on display, visitors can also see the themed exhibition Information Overload, inspired by the 1970 book of the same name by Alvin Toffler. The images shown here give a snap-shot of the shows opening night.

This years private view included a performance by Culture Dub Orchestra, a World Roots Dub band based in the Midlands, with influences from all parts of the globe. CDO explores a range of cultures, religions, backgrounds and musical styles. A heavy roots drum and bass section (crucial to the true dub sound) is coloured by a variety of instruments and sounds - adding eastern flavours. Guitar and keys deliver the essential reggae off-beat with a large palette of delays, while an array of live percussion from tabla to djembe bring it all together to take your mind on a spiritual nomadic journey. Although at the core CDO are an instrumental band they will often feature guest vocalists from varied musical backgrounds.

Members are all interconnected through previous musical projects which range through reggae, funk, soul, hip hop, ska, rock, salsa and Eastern folk- all contributing to the unique fusion of sounds.
Find out more about Culture Dub Orchestra here