The Creative Print Collab, a new collaboration between industry leading organisations and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), announced the winners of its inaugural programme on Friday 8 March at a ceremonial event on AUB campus in Dorset.
The Creative Print Collab is a partnership between cosmetics retailer LUSH, Dayfold printing services, and Foilco, suppliers of stamping foil shades and finishes. While not part of The Creative Print Collab, paper specialists G . F Smith also took part in the project.
First year students on AUB’s BA (Hons) Graphic Design course had to select one of five wellbeing-themed briefs and were tasked with producing an aesthetically beautiful, creatively printed and packaged final product in just eight weeks. The kit needed to include: a box; printed cards; a poster or magazine; and stickers to promote positive wellbeing using LUSH cosmetics.
The partners from The Creative Print Collab announced the winners, runners-up, and those shortlisted from more than 90 entries at a ceremonial event on AUB campus.
Julia Anderson with her project entitled Mane Memories scooped first prize, winning an eight-week LUSH internship, the production of the LUSH wellbeing box featuring her design in the Dayfold factories using Foilco foils, followed by the distribution of the box at major music festivals, as well as printing supplies, swatches, and tickets to events.
Julia commented, ‘Getting the opportunity to work on a live project with LUSH in our first year has been amazing. It’s been great getting to know the LUSH team and seeing the ins and outs of the industry. Winning has honestly been surreal. I’m so proud of the work we’ve all done, and I’m grateful for my tutors and friends. They’ve motivated and helped me throughout the whole project. It’s going to be so cool seeing my design given out at festivals and I’m very excited to start my LUSH internship!’
In second place with her project, With Love X, was Lauren Gardner who won a one-week work experience placement at the Dayfold factory, an all-expenses paid visit to the Independent Paper Show London including a pass to an exclusive Q&A with the founding members from Switzerland, £150 worth of free G . F Smith paper, a full set of G . F Smith swatches, and a Foilco INDEX folder.
‘This term has been such a surreal experience. Coming second place in a live brief with LUSH is more than I could have ever hoped for. I am so grateful for such an incredible opportunity, I’ve learnt so many new skills in such a short time, and I am thrilled and grateful that my hard work has ended in success. I am also incredibly excited for Annabelle and Julia, who deservingly placed, and I am thankful to share this achievement with them.’
A total of 41 prize-winners were announced at the event with shortlisters taking home vouchers for Dayfold printing, business cards from Dayfold, or LUSH products. Placing third was Annabelle Turner with her project, All You Need is LUSH. She comments, ‘Working on this project with LUSH has been an amazing experience! I have gained an understanding of what it is like to work with a client and use their feedback to develop my design. I am so grateful for such an amazing opportunity. Being able to work closely with both Dayfold print and LUSH this early on in my studies at university is a true privilege.’
Simon Allen, Senior R&D Creative Production Support at LUSH, comments, ‘Print is incredibly important to all of us here at LUSH, we don't use social media or mainstream media so our print needs to work harder for us on the high street to communicate our messages and values.
‘What better way to support the future of print than by working with our local arts university and industry leads. We've lots of creatives within the business that have graduated from AUB and it's great to see the local talent coming through. The students did not disappoint with the level of work that was produced and we look forward to welcoming Julia on her internship and hopefully many more in the future.’
Creative Print Collab partner, Del Simmons, managing director of Dayfold, said, ‘This has been an incredible process, we’ve been so impressed with the students. From their visit to the factory and how they’ve engaged with the talks and demonstrations we’ve given, to seeing their application and processes, and now to the results, the finished works are definitely of a very high standard.
‘The Creative Print Collab is something we’re very passionate about at Dayfold, to have the opportunity to inspire and help educate the next generation of designers and allow them to experience a real working environment is crucial to encouraging Gen-Zs and Gen-Alphas into the printing profession.
‘This project allowed the students to see how printing opens up a space to innovate and be really creative in a way digital alone can’t compete with. I think that’s what we’ve really enjoyed throughout the process, seeing the students really embrace printing as a unique and effective way of bringing physical and digital design together.’
The module at AUB started with two intensive days at Dayfold’s factory in Verwood, Dorset, where students were fully immersed in the world of commercial printing including demonstrations on a variety of printing and finishing techniques. The students also attended a full day workshop from Foilco educating them on the range of foiling and paper solutions available, and a paper workshop from G . F Smith, giving an insight into the possibilities of paper.'
Marten Sims, Senior Lecturer for AUB’s BA (Hons) Graphic Design course and unit lead on the project, commented, ‘All the staff have been amazed by the level of work that the students have produced. These are first year students who are only six months into their course and what they’ve delivered is exceptional.
‘We’ve also been astounded by the levels of commitment and generosity in terms of time and resources from our industry partners, LUSH has contributed over £1,000 worth of LUSH products as prizes, and I know that the Dayfold team stayed up until 01.00 printing the students’ projects!
‘As well as winning some really amazing prizes, being able to offer all the students the opportunity to spend time with industry experts in real-life workplaces has been very well received, these are the experiences that really add value for our students. And we’re delighted with the feedback from our partners, we know how important it is for them to connect with the next generation of designers, and makers.’
Mark Smith, Sales Director at Dayfold, added, ‘The Creative Print Collab values are: 'Inspire, Educate, Innovate' and this project has certainly delivered those. We were blown away with the success of this project.
‘Our aim was to raise the profile of printing with designers, both students and those in employment alike, and to get them excited about its creative possibilities. We could not have imagined such a positive response. The quality of the work was fantastic, and to hear from Marten about increased attendances and higher student engagement was music to our ears.
‘This is just the start for this collaboration, our next step is how do we make next years' even bigger and better, but rest assured it will be!’