University News Last updated 14 July 2017
Henry Barton-Wong, final year BA (Hons) Graphic Communication student won a fantastic prize at D&AD New Blood, in London earlier this month.
D&AD New Blood takes place in Shoreditch in London throughout July and is a huge exhibition, celebration and introduction into the industry for creative visual talent: 'Identifying, showcasing and nurturing tomorrow's creative superstars.'
Henry won the ‘School Academy Award’ and tells us more about what this means to him and what it involves.
Henry’s Fantastic Prize
"My D&AD experience has been incredible and is shaping up to be the best time of my life. It's been an amazing way to bring the past four years of education to a satisfying end and dive head first into the rapids of Industry."
“D&AD is one of the largest art, design, advertising and creative competition in the world, and every year D&AD hosts 'New Blood' - an international competition for any and all students to answer, innovate and win creative briefs put out by world leading brands. They're challenging, thought provoking, and see some of the best and most inspiring creative responses from around the globe.”
“The trophy's are all 'pencils' of varying levels: wooden, graphite, yellow, white - presented for work for social good and black - presented for the single best project of all the submissions.”
“The best part about winning was that I was then allowed to submit an application to D&AD New Blood Academy, which is a super intensive two week creative boot camp, run by loads of huge, incredible agencies. I've met 49 other amazing creatives as part of the academy which has been truly inspiring, all of which come from every kind of country, nationality and culture.”
Henry’s Competition Advice
“Find your insight, what is the truest thing you can say about the problem, the customer and the brand. Do your research. Put your thinking on paper and don't stop until you have an idea that you just believe in. Maybe you don't know what it is exactly yet, or how it's going to end up, but when you have an idea that you're genuinely excited about... share it. Pitch it to your friends, pitch it to your tutors. Get feedback, get different perspectives. If you don't, your idea simply won't go very far. Good design is collaborative, even if that's just getting a second opinion.
That said, you don't even have to be a designer to submit to D&AD. There are amazing people from architects to physicists that have won pencils this year.”
Henry’s Advice for Future Students
“My advice to people joining the course next year is: don't stick to what you know, or what you're good at. Experiment, collaborate, learn what it means to be creative - not just how to be technically good at it. That means don't just focus on being good at Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects. Though if you are it does make everything easier. If I was to start my entire degree again, I would focus on ideas. Creative conceptual thinking, problem solving, and most importantly: communicating that thinking. “
“And lastly, get work experience! Do internships, get real industry experience as soon as you can…and it's worth developing the practical skills industry teach you as soon as possible.”
You can follow Henry and the rest of BA (Hons) Graphic Communication on Instagram @catalyst1417 to see what’s currently inspiring us this summer.
Have a great summer and keep creating.
Find out more about BA (Hons) Graphic Communication.