Industry Visit Provides Exciting Opportunity for Graphic Design Students
Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College students studying on year 2 of the HND Graphic Design course recently visited Potts Print (UK) in Cramlington. Potts Print (UK) offers bespoke design and print services to the UK and European markets. They are passionate about creating and delivering innovative, cost effective and sustainable printing, packaging and direct mail solutions to the retail, health and beauty, gift and DIY sectors.
Ian White, Technical Services Director, gave the students a tour of the impressive printing facility and gave them an insight into printing techniques, outputting work and preparing work for print. He also discussed morals and ethics within graphic design, this topic was specifically of interest to the students as it related directly to Unit 3, the Professional Studies Unit, which the students were covering. Ian also discussed with the group the relationship between the designer and the printer and how important communication is within this relationship.
The students were also given a live brief on the day. The brief was to design promotional material for ‘Flourish’, the floristry retail outlet at TyneMet College’s Coast Road Campus. They were asked to design either, a newspaper advert, an A5, full colour postcard or flyer, a website advert or a poster for an Advan advert.
Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College staff, Paul Harvey, Programme Leader for the HND Graphic Design course and Kathy Bacovitch, also teacher on the course accompanied the students.
Paul said;
“I would like to thank Potts Print (UK) and Ian White for giving the students this fantastic opportunity. The information given by Ian was specific and precise and related directly to the course Unit we are studying at the moment. The students really enjoyed the tour, they were impressed with the state of the art printing machines and it gave them an insight and understanding of how the concept of a design can then turn in to a physical piece of print. “
Potts Print (UK) have also discussed with Queen Alexandra Sixth Form College, the possibility of work placements for some students which will be invaluable to them, giving them practical experience to support the theory based elements of their course. Potts Print (UK) will choose a student whose live brief they think is the best and offer them the first work placement.
The Creative Studios at Queen Alexandra College continues to develop working relationships with organisations like Potts Print (UK). The College realises that students need quality work placements to give them a first-hand experience of working in specific industries and boost their CV or personal statements to help them stand out from the crowd on their chosen path, be it in the world of work or university.
Potts Print (UK) delivers cutting edge lithographic and customised digital print services to the UK and Europe from its Headquarters in Cramlington, Northumberland. An excellent reputation for service, quality and reliability combined with continuing investment in capital equipment and an expansion to 165 employees in 2011 positions Potts Print (UK) as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK.
Ian White, Technical Services Director, Potts Print (UK), said:
It was a pleasure to have Paul and the students visit us. I was impressed with how keen the students were and I look forward to the next step in this process. It gives us a great opportunity to develop the relationship between the college and ourselves, and offers the students a serious route to employment.
This was supported by Carla Armstrong, HR and Corporate Services Director, Potts Print (UK) who said:
Working with the College demonstrates our desire to create the next generation of print industry experts. Our recently launched Training and Skills Academy offers many similar opportunities for students and apprentices alike, in all areas of our business.
For advice and guidance on A levels or Creative Industries courses available at the Creative Studios, call 0191 229 5123, email enquiries@queenalex.co.uk or alternatively visit the website www.queenalex.co.uk
