Success for design quartet

A quartet of Teesside University design students earned international recognition for their work in typography.

Final year BA (Hons) Graphic Design students Josh Davies, Linda Hjortland Carlsen, Mark Longworth and Victor Dina are celebrating after achieving recognition in the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) Student Assessment Scheme.

The University has maintained its 100% pass rate for the second year running, which this year includes a commendation. Known for its rigour and high standards, the scheme is highly regarded within the design industry and winning students can use MISTD after their name to signify recognised skills in typography.

'This is only awarded to work of an exceptionally high standard. We are all delighted with this result,' said Jo Hamill, Programme Leader, Graphic Design.

Due to graduate later this year, the students spent many late nights and weekends working on their individual submissions, gaining three passes and a commendation.

Josh, 21, from Scarborough, said: 'We’ve been like a family these last four months, we’ve all worked so hard.'

Mark, 30, from Wiltshire, who received a commendation said: 'I am very happy, I couldn’t wish for anything better.'

Victor, 20, from Newcastle took his inspiration from American prison Alcatraz and created a metal covered book.

Linda, 21, from Norway was inspired by the first unaided crossing of the English Channel, achieved by Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 and her water-encased book reflects this.

She said: 'It has been a very long and hard process, an adventure, but I would do it again if I had the chance because it really gave us all a piece of work that strengthens our portfolios. I personally was a bit nervous at the beginning since English is not my first language, but now I am delighted that I was able to get a pass.'

The students will receive their awards this summer at the Design Museum in London.

School of Arts & Media factfile Teesside is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus where there has recently been £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

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