News Release from Bury College

Congratulations to Bury College Interactive Media student Sophie Duckworth who has won two weeks work experience with Hallmark.  Sophie, age 17 from Bury, former Tottington High School student, created four Christmas card designs, two gift wraps and a short e-card animation as part of a live commercial brief for the UK’s leading greeting card publisher.

Hallmark chose to work with Bury College because the nature of the Interactive Media course reflects how they work in their studios.  All second year Interactive Media students at Bury College were given the unique opportunity of creating work for the brief as part of their course.  Hallmark’s Creative Director Jo Marchbank and Senior Designer Tom Gill came to Bury College on 7th February to judge the work. 

Senior Designer Tom said, “The standard of work by the students here has been really high.  The time they have dedicated to the brief is evident in their work, some of which we have already used following their mid review in our customer presentations.  The students really understood the brief and took on board suggestions.”  The judges chose Sophie’s designs as the winner because she showed lots of variety in her work.  Creative Director Jo said, “Sophie will get a lot out of the work experience because she uses a diverse range of skills in her designs.  Working with new talent such as Sophie’s also gives us a way to get a flow of new talent coming through the company.”

Speaking about her achievement, Sophie said, “I’ve really enjoyed creating these designs.  Working to a professional brief has helped me improve my skills.  I’m really looking forward to the work experience as it will give me an idea of what working in a real studio is like.”  On completion of her course at Bury College Sophie is going to study illustration at UCLAN.

Assistant Curriculum Manager John Pritchard is delighted by the partnership.  He said, “Working with Hallmark has provided the students with an invaluable opportunity to get a clear understanding of working in a real design environment.  I’m pleased that Hallmark is so impressed with the student’s work.  I’m very proud with the way the students have responded to the brief and the diverse range of work they created.  I look forward to working with Hallmark again in the future.”

If you would like more information on Interactive Media courses at Bury College, please contact us on 0161 280 8280 or visit our website www.burycollege.ac.uk