Member Article

bgroup puts design students through their paces

Creative agency The bgroup has been putting design students at Northumbria University through their paces in a brand development project to reveal the commercial side of design. The graphic design team at the Newcastle-based agency have been leading a six-week project at the University’s Design School, challenging final year Graphics students to come up with a brand and designs for promotion of an international event.

bgroup designers Rich Endean, Glen Craig and head of studio Simon Wilson have been working closely with the students to share their 27 collective years’ expertise working in advertising and design.

In a change from how their work is assessed at the University, The bgroup design team evaluated the students’ ideas not just on the quality of the work but also on how much thought had been put into the commercial application of the brands and designs.

Simon Wilson said: “This project has highlighted the responsibility we have as creative businesses to work with the region’s universities to ensure our design graduates receive the sort of real-world experience that will enable them to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work. This is something we’re committed to at The bgroup and we hope our work with the students over the last six weeks has been really valuable in helping to smooth their path from University to the commercial world.”

Ted Carden, senior lecturer at Northumbria University design school, who invited The bgroup team to lead this project, said: “The bgroup’s involvement in setting and working with our final year Graphics students on a challenging brand development project is a prime example of the design industry and Higher Education here in the North East working together to raise the bar in terms of providing students with the very best in real-world design experience prior to graduation. Rich, Glen and the team at The bgroup ensured it became an excellent collaborative venture for all concerned!”

If you’re interested in chatting to The bgroup about the design team running a course at your design school, please contact Simon on 0191 261 1333 or email simon@thebgroup.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .