Best New Creatives — 2020 Graduate Showcase — Part 1

For the second year, these four articles will feature a selection of what I view to be the most talented and multidisciplinary graduates from the top educational institutions in the UK. As with 2019, selections are based on an individuals' total body of work so far — 20 diversely gifted creatives, many of whom are already award-winning and have demonstrated their practice professionally.

Acknowledgment has to be made to what is a distinctly punishing year for graduates. As if the challenge wasn't substantial already. The efforts of universities to amend curriculums, teaching and grading methods, alongside organisations such as D&AD and The Dots to provide new platforms for talent, have been nothing short of heroic. If the problem of visibility for graduates during the pandemic has been mitigated, the problem of opportunity is ours still to solve. Now is not the time to turn our backs on new talent. For those of us in holding-company agencies, the smart move is for new talent to be high on the agenda when blanket policies on hiring thaw. Pressure should be placed to accelerate that process. Independent studios with an active client roster today hold a clear advantage in that regard.

Despite the circumstances of 2020, by my measure it has in no way suppressed the quality of thought or craft from this year's graduates. Perhaps the opposite is more true. There is inspiring and important work among these individuals. I hope you're as excited about them as I am.

01. Steve Garnett

Graduate of Nottingham Trent University. "I'm a recent graduate designer with a strong belief that design can be used to create impact and positive change. My work involves well thought out visual ideas backed up by thorough research and insight, which creates bold meaningful design concepts. My work has been highlighted in The Nationwide Degree Show and selected as a D&AD Ones To Watch."

Ambition: "To gain experience within the creative industry, work on projects that excite me and help me grow as a junior designer. It's my ambition to create work that’ll make people think ‘Wow, I wish I'd thought of that!’"

Hopes for the industry: "To keep being creative, keep surprising us with killer ideas, keep creating out-of-the-box solutions to complex briefs. Keep raising awareness of problems within society and where possible solve them. The creative industry can impact everything for the better, so keep doing exactly that!"

steve-design.com

LinkedIn

02. Alex Clothier

Graduate of the University of Hertfordshire. "I’m a graphic designer, specialising in branding. Proud to say that I'm a D&AD New Blood, Yellow Pencil winner. I’m a conceptual thinker, who loves to create work that makes people say ‘wow’. Always chasing that reaction."

Ambition: "I hope to work at a London based agency, somewhere that challenges my thinking and encourages creative freedom. The past two years have been amazing, I’m excited to see what I’ll produce and experience now that I’m In ‘the real world.'"

Hopes for the industry: "As designers I feel we have a lot of power and I hope it will continue to be used in good ways, encouraging/making the change to issues around the world in amazing and creative ways, no matter how big or small."

alexclothier.com

LinkedIn

03. Tamara Lau

Graduate of Gray's School of Art: "I am a multi-disciplinary designer, interested most by graphic and UI design. I am also deeply fascinated by technology and its ability to expand human potential. My design style values functionality and beauty equally and is expressed with vibrancy that enriches the life and character of my creations."

Ambition: "I hope to lead with curiosity, sharing what I can and learning as much as possible, to continue to grow my skillset. I’d like to move to a city with new surroundings and join a team of passionate people to tackle cool challenges with."

Hopes for the industry: "For it to be a place of influence by challenging many of our societal norms in working towards creating a more inclusive, equal and considerate society. Also, for it to be kinder to our planet."

t-lau.com

LinkedIn

04. Eleanor Spickett

Graduate of the University of Central Lancashire: "I'm a bubbly northern girl, who's always scribbling down ideas. I have a passion for working on complex subjects, unravelling them so they’re easily understood. A key interest of mine is motion graphics, I love bringing projects to life."

Ambition: "Immerse myself into the industry to discover where I fit in, continue to learn and expand my portfolio."

Hopes for the industry: "I hope to see more design for good, designers aiding situations by communicating a message to many. And see more female designers killing the game and working their way up."

eleanorspickett.com

LinkedIn

05. Thomas McElroy

Graduate of Birmingham City University: "I'm a multi-disciplinary Graphic Designer from Birmingham. Working across brand identity and motion graphics. More recently, I’ve been exploring the realm of creative coding using Processing / P5.JS."

Ambition: "I aim to continue my learning within the workplace. I’m still not 100% sure what area of the industry best suits me so I’m keen to try anything."

Hopes for the industry: "I hope to work within a range of companies and build my client list. Then eventually when I feel ready, I hope to start my own studio."

forwardbirmingham.co.uk/graduates-t-z/thomas-mcelroy

LinkedIn

Read Part 2 here.