A new design for Dylan Thomas

A broken foot was the unlikely factor in setting University of Teesside design student Elly Taylor on the path to success.

Elly, 22, from Saltburn, clinched the Student Medal for Graphic Design 2007 in the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) Awards, beating entries from design students worldwide.

Each year the CSD invites second year full-time design students from around the world to submit an entry to the competition, with hundreds submitting work for scrutiny by a panel of CSD and design industry judges.

Along with the prestigious CSD award, Elly, who is now in the final year of a BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree, won £1,000 prize money.

Elly’s innovative typographic treatment of Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood was selected by the judges for its exceptional design ability.

Her winning design incorporates the literary work, along with use of the Helvetica typeface which recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its design. Elly said: ‘I used typography to get across the voices of different characters in the play.’

Elly puts some of her success down to a recent ‘turning point’ in her life, which she says led her to immerse herself in her studies.

She said: ‘I had to take a year out in my second year as I broke my foot. It proved to be a real turning point for me. As soon as I was able to get back to work something just clicked.

‘The course is fantastic, I’ve loved every minute of it. The tutors are very supportive and the University has great facilities.’

Barbara Usherwood, Head of Design at the University, said: ‘We are all delighted that the high quality of our students’ work is receiving this kind of recognition and acclaim. Elly has produced a sophisticated and well-informed piece of work and her success is very well deserved.’

Each year the CSD offers student membership to a selection of promising entrants to its competition, a factor which Elly says encouraged her to enter.

She said: ‘I didn’t know there was a £1,000 prize until I was told I’d won. What was important to me was being accepted into the society. It still feels unbelievable.’

Along with Elly, other competition entrants from the University of Teesside also offered CSD student membership were Jarone Adetimikan, Adam Gado, Samantha Harrison and Helen Hurry.

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