Best New Creatives — 2020 Graduate Showcase — Part 2

Read Part 1 here.

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.

06. Ethan Brown

Graduate of Norwich University of the Arts: "I'm a graphic design graduate from Norwich University of the Arts. I’m extremely passionate about branding and packaging – and a real sucker for a witty idea. I enjoy the thrill of solving a problem and the creative journey it takes to get there. D&AD Yellow Pencil winner."

Ambition: "To work somewhere I can enjoy each day, that will inspire and open my eyes to new thinking and ways to create; where I can continue to have fun and hopefully design some pretty cool work."

Hopes for the industry: "I hope that the industry will continue to thrive, inspire and champion creative thinking. That creativity becomes the symbol of hope in a world that could really do with some positivity."

ethanbrowndesign.co.uk

LinkedIn

07. Alisha Mann

Graduate of Nottingham Trent University: "I am a recent Graphic Design graduate who loves to incorporate illustration into my work. I love branding, packaging and a bit of UI/UX design. I’d love to work on these things in my future career & I’m eager to get started."

Ambition: "To find a couple of internships before diving into a full time job, before going travelling next summer. (I was supposed to be travelling now but of course it was postponed). I’d love to have some experience under my belt before going away so I’m ready for the job hunt when I’m back!"

Hopes for the industry: "That it stays a positive and fun environment during these tough times and pulls through even stronger than before. Design is everywhere so I think it can and should play a huge part in bringing some positivity back into people’s lives."

alishamanndesigns.myportfolio.com

LinkedIn

08. Jo Crossley

Graduate of Loughborough University: "I’m a London-based graphic designer, specialising in branding and visual identity. I have two years’ experience in industry, working both in agency and in-house. My work spans digital, print and packaging and is equal parts strategic, empathetic and playful."

Ambition: "My short-term ambition is to land my dream role in a London-based branding agency. After getting a taste of studio life in my placement year, I can’t wait to throw myself into the design culture amongst a community of creatives who share my passion for great ideas and brilliant execution."

Hopes for the industry: "I have so much hope for the creative industries as a tool for social betterment. Some of the initiatives that I’ve seen develop during theshitshow that is 2020 have made me surge with pride–I feel honoured to be part of this community. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to address the cultural, ethnic and gender disparities that still exist in our industry. It is my dream to one day be in a position to uplift other creatives from underrepresented communities, which I firmly believe will create a better, more exciting and more just society."

jocrossley.co.uk

LinkedIn

09. Camilla Frankish

Graduate of Falmouth University: "A copywriter with a 1st class degree in Creative Advertising from Falmouth University. I'm proud to be both a pencil winner and listed as ‘One To Watch’ by D&AD New Blood. A compulsive maker since I was first able to hold a pair of scissors and a glue stick and is always on the look-out for the next exciting project."

Ambition: "I would like to build a career that allows me to do creative problem solving and play with language, which is what i love. I am more concerned with finding people to work for/with, that I respect and want to learn from, than collecting badges from this or that prestigious agency."

Hopes for the industry: "I really hope that the advertising industry and the businesses that use it, will allow creatives and strategists to produce work that is of some value to the consumer instead of being so irritating that they are prepared to spend money to avoid it! To focus on building relationships with customers long-term instead of just chasing the next sale month-to-month. Perhaps naively, I also hope for a shift in the definition of success, with things like the UN Sustainable Development Goals becoming a guiding principle in how businesses operate."

camillafrankish.com

LinkedIn

10. Marius Trinkunas

Graduate of Falmouth University: "I’m a Lithuanian interdisciplinary designer working in the realms of graphics, art direction, experience and motion design. My interest in these creative fields has allowed me to live and create in South West England, Copenhagen and Vilnius. Through these cross-cultural experiences, I have been able to refine my creative practice and developed a passion for exploring ideas that generate change in the lives of people and the environment."

Ambition: "Although the future feels a bit uncertain right now, I believe the quarantine once again showed me how much I enjoy creating things and be curious about the world around me. It also helped me to see how grateful I'm for having the opportunity to call myself a designer. Yet, I think today there’s still a lot of space for design to be redefined, more inclusive and become even a better tool to solve our problems. I certainly want to be a part of this change."

Hopes for the industry: "Since the start of the pandemic, it was amazing to see how the industry became unified against the problems the world is facing. From Instagram’s live talks about creativity to posters supporting NHS workers and then BLM protests, I was really impressed by the response it had created. I hope it will stay the same in the future and we’ll be able to achieve results collectively."

marius-at.work

LinkedIn

Read Part 3 here.