Students have designs on MP’s office space

A group of Graphic and Visual Design students from Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) have been commissioned to create artwork for the constituency office for a local MP.

Students were given a live brief by Samantha Niblett, Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire, to create designs that will brighten up her constituency office in Swadlincote.
The brief focused on incorporating South Derbyshire landmarks into the designs, visually representing the area on the office walls. Students developed their designs based on the brief and recently presented them to Samantha during a visit to the College.

Samantha was impressed with all of the designs presented and selected Lucie Fairbrother’s design focusing on South Derbyshire landmarks as the overall winner. Lucie will now refine the graphic in response to feedback before printing the final artwork in the College’s Sign and Print Academy and installing it in the constituency office.

Lucie said: “It was a really exciting brief to work on and I can’t quite believe my design has been selected. I wanted to focus my design on South Derbyshire itself – choosing landmarks at the heart of South Derbyshire. I included Sharpe’s Pottery, Hicks Lodge and Calke Abbey - places that people who live in South Derbyshire would recognise or those who visit South Derbyshire would come for.

“It will be surreal seeing my work printed that big. I really love doing live briefs – it feels like you’re working towards something that will make a difference. I can also add experiences like this to my CV and portfolio to stand out to employers.”

Samantha Niblett, MP for South Derbyshire commented: “I was keen that my constituency office reflects the constituency I serve and when I recently visited BSDC and saw the graphics department it seemed an ideal opportunity to have some artwork designed by local students, and at the same time provide them with real commercial experience for their portfolio. My team and I and were bowled over by the high standard, creativity and professionalism of the students and the way they each pitched their ideas. All of the submissions were impressive. The bar was high, but Lucies design was a unanimous winner”.

Paul Eaton, Course Leader at BSDC added: “The project has given students valuable real-world experience, allowing them to work to a client brief, present their ideas and see their designs come to life in a professional setting. We are looking forward to seeing the students’ work on display in Samantha’s office, showcasing their creativity and the skills they have developed on their course.”