Interview with the concept designers
Anneliese Shieff and Melissa Salt are the designers of the concept for the degree show and have just finished their second year at the University of Derby studying BA (Hons) Graphic Design.
Where did you get the inspiration from?
The inspiration behind the design came from thinking of graduates as not finishing their degree, but beginning the rest of their lives.
What does it mean to you to have won and to have your concept represent this year's Degree Show?
We feel proud to have our design chosen for the degree show, and especially that it was chosen over so many other great designs from our peers. It is a good way to get our work noticed and be recognised for the hard work we have put in throughout the course. It is also amazing to see something we have done come to print and will be amazing to see it on a billboard, and to know that so many people will see it.
Tell us about the live projects you get involved with as part of your course?
In our course we have had many live briefs from actual clients, such as designing the Degree Show concept. It gives us a chance to see what it is really like in the world of work and having to pitch our ideas to the clients gives us practice and helps to build our confidence. We've been involved in a range of projects from rebranding entire companies to coming up with brand new advertisement schemes.
Do you think it is important to get involved with live projects?
We feel it is important to get involved with live projects as it prepares you for what you are going to come across in a real working environment. The presentations have prepared us for when we graduate and go into the workplace, where it is likely that we will have to make regular pitches.
Why did you choose to study at Derby?
Anneliese: I live in Derby so there are many benefits such as financial and ease of living but I also found that the course offers a wide range of opportunities to learn about design for different media including print and web. Another attractive component were the live briefs as I wanted to gain some experience of working for clients and would also have the opportunity to gain contacts, which I could use in the future especially as they would probably be local.
Melissa: I chose to study at Derby because I was impressed with what the course offered me as a student. Being from Stoke On Trent it is close enough to home for me to easily commute when it suits but I wanted the living away from home experience to gain the most from my life at university.
Would you recommend people to come and study Graphic Design at Derby?
We would recommend studying Graphic Design at Derby as we get opportunities to work with real clients, learn a wide range of skills which would allow you to go into many types of design, and also a chance to experiment.
