Teesside University design trio earn international recognition

A graphic design trio from Teesside University have achieved international recognition for their work in typography.

Simon Buchanan, Ryan Walker and Line Nakken Hoivik, all final year BA (Hons) Graphic Design students, are celebrating after receiving recognition in the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) student assessment scheme.

The scheme is highly regarded within the design industry and winning students can use MISTD after their name to signify membership with the Society and their recognised skills in typography.

The students, who are all due to graduate this summer, spent much of their spare time outside of their degree studies to work on their individual submissions.

Simon, 21, from Cumbria, said: 'It's a huge personal achievement which will help when I start to work in the industry. I’m really interested in editorial work.'

Ryan, 22, from Durham, said: 'I'm really interested in motion design, which I incorporated into my submission to the assessment scheme.'

Line, 23, from Norway, said: 'It has involved a lot of hard work, but it’s pretty cool to have this recognition. I am really interested in illustration and hope that once I have graduated from University I can work freelance.'

School of Arts & Media senior lecturers Jo Hamill and Marcus Diamond worked with the students as they prepared to submit their work to the annual ISTD competition.

Jo Hamill, Graphic Design Programme Leader, said: 'Preparing for the ISTD assessment involves endless out of hours preparation, resulting in the students’ work going through one of the most rigorous and challenging assessment schemes within our industry.

'This a wonderful achievement for the students and tutors involved and it also adds to our consistent and outstanding year-on-year ISTD success.

'ISTD is one of the few assessment schemes which not only celebrates student achievement, but also recognises the commitment and expertise of the tutors involved.'

Simon, Ryan and Line spent many late nights and weekends working on their individual submissions, gaining ISTD accreditation. They will receive their awards this summer at a ceremony in London.

Graphic Design students from the University’s School of Arts & Media are currently exhibiting limited edition poster works at The Station Gallery in Richmond as part of Shakespeare Fest' 16.

The students have created artwork responding to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, working with staff to realise their ideas. Students from each year of the degree course have submitted work, which includes screen prints, monoprinting and digital printing.

The posters can be seen until May 5 and are available for sale from the gallery in strictly limited runs. A best in show prize will also be awarded by a festival judging.

From left: Simon Buchanan, Line Nakken Hoivik and Ryan Walker

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