Art and Design students impress industry professional in annual branding project 

Art and Design students showcased their creativity and professionalism as part of a branding project, presenting their work to local industry partner Blaze Signs. 

This branding challenge, which is fast becoming an annual project, saw Level 2 Art and Design students tasked with creating a fully realised brand concept, including a logo and brand guidelines, before pitching their ideas to Blaze Signs’ Design Office Manager, Barry. The project, led by Art and Design lecturer Jacob Weeks, gave students the opportunity to experience a real-world creative brief and present their ideas to a professional client. 

Barry was highly impressed with the standard of work this year, commenting: “The overall quality of work was extremely high, and it made choosing a top three very difficult. I wish we could have awarded more of the student designs.  

“What I really enjoy about getting involved in this project is seeing students push themselves creatively and professionally. It gives them a genuine opportunity to test their skills, gain confidence, and practise pitching their ideas – which is so important in the creative industry.” 

He added that projects like this help to bridge the gap between education and employment, allowing students to understand industry expectations while building confidence in their own ideas. 

After careful consideration, Barry selected his top three brands, judging creativity, presentation skills, attention to detail and the students’ understanding of design.  

Throughout the project, many students were introduced to Adobe design software for the first time and challenged to present their ideas in a formal setting. During the project, students were able to develop new confidence, communication skills and a better understanding of creative careers, ensuring they leave College with practical skills, industry insight and the confidence to progress into further study or creative employment. 

Barry’s top three brand concepts

1st Place – Rolling Scones

Kirsten Thraves Burgess 

Kirsten took first place with ‘Rolling Scones’, a café brand inspired by her love of music and rock culture. Playing on the iconic Rolling Stones name, the concept combined humour, strong visual identity and meticulous detail. 

Barry praised the brand’s originality, noting that the name immediately stood out and perfectly captured the spirit of the concept. Kirsten said she was proud of the result and surprised by how confident she felt after presenting.

2nd Place – Wright

Milly Wright 

Milly’s brand, ‘Wright’, secured second place thanks to an engaging pitch and a clear passion for her idea. The colourful milkshake-themed brand focused on inclusivity and self-expression, using bold visuals to create a welcoming and playful identity. 

Barry highlighted Milly’s presentation skills as a key strength, commenting on how confidently and clearly she communicated her ideas. Milly described the experience as a major confidence boost and an important step towards her ambition of running her own creative business.

3rd Place – Café du Paradis

Keanne Swinbourne 

Keanne’s ‘Café du Paradis’ impressed with its refined artwork and strong visual branding. Inspired by French language and culture, the café concept featured a striking logo design that Barry noted would “work perfectly as a real shop decal”. 

Keanne said the project helped her grow in confidence and develop new digital design skills, particularly using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for the first time. 

Explore Art and Design at EKC Dover College 

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