Lucy and Rich spend an evening with some of the best up and coming design talent in Yorkshire...
Hi to all reading, I’m Lucy. I'm new to Orchard, and this is my first blog post, ever, so here goes nothing!
Myself and Rich were lucky enough to attend the Sh! Awards at Templeworks in Leeds recently. As my background is recruiting for client side, and more recently agency 'Suits' roles, this was my first taste of the creative ‘scene’ in Leeds, and I was a little nervous! On arrival we were greeted with a free drink voucher (always a good sign!) and a name badge (essential for remembering the name of the person you’re chatting to!)
It was held in a lovely old building and the atmosphere was very laid back - certainly no suits around.
On display were the entries of the 23 short listed design students hoping to win the six month paid placement with Brahm. The entries were brilliant and the students themselves were engaging and very switched on, I'm sure they’ll all have jobs in no time. One particular entry was an interactive digital screen which the student had designed himself, and on which you could draw and write things, much to the amusement of all the students there!
In attendance were the members of the impressive judging panel, who had the tough task of having to agree on a winner, lots of the team from Brahm, and friends and families of the short listed students. I met some great creative minds and some useful contacts for the future. Whilst mingling, chatting and enjoying the lovely canapés, we were entertained by a comedian who juggled with guitars (yes, really). I won’t mention his name but he did struggle the poor lad.
The winner was Matthew Young, who is a final year Graphic & Communication Design student at the University of Leeds. Congratulations Matthew!
With the main part of the evening drawing to a close, there was just time for Rich to keep his fingers crossed in the hope of winning a lifetime's supply of Pot Noodles in the raffle. Unfortunately we both walked away empty handed, however lots of generously donated prizes were shared out, including champagne, Jo Malone goodies, hotel stays, and concert tickets, and it was all in aid of an excellent cause in the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Now I've broke my duck, roll on next year!
Lucy Rollings
@orchardlucy
A bit about the Sh! Awards:
These are the awards set up in memory of Leeds designer, Stuart Hocknell who died from meningitis in 2002. Described as someone who 'loved life and loved design', the Sh! awards were created in his memory to nurture young talented designers in Yorkshire.
To see the winner, Matthew Young's work, click here