Durham City’s new 21st century image

Durham City’s status as one of the UK’s most notable tourist destinations could receive a boost from a student from the University of Teesside’s BA (Hons) Design Marketing degree course.

For Andrew Murray, 26, has produced his final-year project, which is designed to brighten his home City’s image. His designs aim to give Durham a more cosmopolitan feel in line with the new tourist attractions, bars and restaurants which are being constructed as part of Durham’s ‘Millennium Scheme’.

Andrew said: “I felt that Durham could learn a lot about marketing itself by looking at what has been achieved in places such as York and Edinburgh, where they have modernised their image with the aim of changing external perceptions. The City of Durham is obviously strongly associated with its castle and cathedral but new developments are changing the face of tourism in the area.”

As well laying down a tourism marketing strategy for the city, Andrew has designed posters, logos and banners with the strapline “Vision of the Future”. He hopes that some of his ideas will be adopted by the City Council as it seeks to promote its revitalised tourist offering. Andrew will also exhibit his work at the ‘New Designers’ exhibition in London in July.

Andrew’s work will be displayed at the University of Teesside’s Design Degree show from Monday 11 June-Thursday 14 June, from 9am-4pm each day. The show is free and open to the public. It will be held in the University’s Main Hall, off the main entrance, near the King Edward’s Square junction with Borough Road, Middlesbrough.

On Saturday 16 June the show moves to Lookers Audi showroom at Mandale Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees. The show again will be free and open to the public on Saturday 16 June from 9am-5pm, and on Sunday 17 June from 11am-4pm. For more details on the Design Degree show at the University contact Helen Smith in the School of Law, Arts & Humanities on 01642 384052. Details on the show at Lookers Audi are available from Simon Ginsberg, Business Development Manager on 01642 603444.

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