GROW Design Shows 2012

THE home-grown talents of Stockport College graduate students have been displayed to potential employers from the creative industries at a series of special exhibitions.

Using a horticultural theme, the 2012 Arts, Design & Media Degree Show – entitled ‘Grow’ – illustrated how far the students’ imaginations and abilities have bloomed after three years in the College ‘hothouse’.

It featured a range of some of the best new cutting-edge work in the North West, including graphic design, illustration and photography – and received overwhelming interest from the hundreds of people attending the show’s preview.

“The GROW theme really refers to the students themselves and the journey they have taken on their courses,” said Paul Proctor, Assistant Dean of the Arts, Design & Media Department.

“But in order for something to grow you have to provide the right conditions. You also have to nurture its growth.

“We certainly hope that we have played our part in that, by providing our students with an environment in which they have been able to explore, experiment and make mistakes, and through those processes cultivate strength, confidence and independence which will enable them to continue to grow throughout their future careers.”

‘Grow’ showcased the work of 70 graduating students from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Illustration, BA (Hons) Photography and Foundation Degrees in Commercial Photography and Design & Advertising.

Dominique Byron and students on the Illustration course won the ‘Best in Show’ prize with another six students winning best in course.

Following ‘Grow’, students’ creative work was featured at ‘Grow-into Town’, held at Kraak Gallery near Stevenson Square in Manchester. They also exhibited at the Design & Art Directors’ ‘New Blood’ event in London on 27th & 28th June. And the BA (Hons) Photography graduates displayed their photographic work at the Chinese Arts Centre in Manchester, at a show titled ‘Everything for Effect’, attended by the great and the good from the photographic community in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

Paul added: “It’s a privilege to work with such ambitious and talented students and our dynamic staff, who are completely dedicated to student success.”

For information about courses in Arts, Design & Media go to: http://www.stockport.ac.uk/art-and-design/