Best New Creatives — 2023 Graduate Showcase — Part 1 of 2
Ian Wharton
Founder and CEO of Aide Health ? Advisor at Justified Studio ? Governor at Arts University Bournemouth
This graduating year has felt the full force of the pandemic. Two years of disruption and a third of recovery will have led to a very unique experience of university life.
The impact isn't visible in the work, and there is by no means less effort, but the context is important. There is more urgency from this group to find progressive, collaborative creative environments than in previous years. And definitely more interest in smaller, independent studios than network agencies.
These articles are now in their fifth year. Like every year, the selection is scouted. It requires conversations with dozens of lecturers, reviewing every online graduate showcase, visiting some in person, and of course, attending D&AD New Blood. The process takes roughly a month, and still, there are definitely people I miss.
Selection is based on the total body of work —?a minimum of three pieces. This is to showcase consistency, breadth of creative skill and curiosity and to highlight any entrepreneurial spirit. For whatever reason, finding proficiency (or interest) in digital products and services this year was much harder.
In two parts, rather than four as in other years to maximise exposure for all featured, here are 20 outstanding creative graduates from Bachelor of Arts courses across the UK.
1. Francesca Chilton
Graduate of Nottingham Trent University : "I'm a driven individual who is excited to start working with like-minded creatives. Although this world is turning more digital day by day, I still love to be physical and to feel, play and craft with my hands, I don't think you can beat the qualities that come from this. I have a fascination for oddities and weird findings once I start delving into a project."
Ambition: "I'm excited to just start mixing with people of all ranges and ages and bounce off of everyone, to keep on learning and challenging my mind! To be present and take it day by day, who knows what is around the corner and who you may meet along the way."
Hopes for the industry: "To see work that pushes boundaries of traditional design spheres and to continue having fun with my ideas and the influences."
2. Becca Lee
Graduate of the University of Hertfordshire : "Hello! I'm Becca, a creative that loves to make with meaning - isn't that the point? Bringing to life brands through purposeful design, fuelled with weird and wonderful insights, creating little sweet spots of character hidden within the bigger idea. I'm also a 2023 D&AD Pencil Winner!"
Ambition: "Currently, I've got some exciting opportunities coming up, I'm just ready to get cracking with an open mind. Surround myself with creatives that push me, keep me on my toes and just continuously?learn my craft. (+ enjoy it, of course!)"
Hopes for the industry: "For the industry to make more moves to support creative wellbeing, because the value of creativity in the world is only as good as the minds that make it."
3. Nils Bj?rkman
Graduate of Ravensbourne University : "I enjoy bringing ideas to life. The best idea is the simplest, sometimes they come easy, and sometimes it takes a while. My true passion and dedication lie within visualisation. Giving that simple idea a life and an identity."
Ambition: "Finding the agency that allows me to develop and learn from the best while applying my current skills and curiosity."
Hopes for the industry: "I am incredibly excited about AI and the opportunities it already provides. I'm looking forward to seeing how the industry utilizes AI for creativity while retaining the human touch. Change?is not bad, only exciting."
4. Valerya Milovanov
Graduate of the University of Hertfordshire : "I am a recent illustration graduate with multidisciplinary experience in design. I am passionate about children's books, and?I love working with different textures, combining traditional materials with digital media to create heartwarming and inviting illustrations"
Ambition: "I want to illustrate and publish children's books that inspire, entertain?and educate kids about the world around them."
Hopes for the industry: "I hope that the industry continues to grow and there will be more meaningful works that address challenging subjects."
5. Ray Chong
Graduate of Central Saint Martins : "I have a knack for and deep interest in telling human and emotional stories through the unconventional lens of advanced technology; I’d describe myself as a creative technologist. For me, data visualization and interactive media are invaluable tools to promote understanding and empathy."
Ambition: "I’d love to work as a physical or digital product designer where I can use my knowledge and skills in how interactive technology can enrich experiences. Studios that want to push the boundaries of design are where I’d love to be! Besides this, I’m interested in working with artists and musicians eager to include computational elements in their work. This niche continues to grow, and I’m excited to be part of an emerging field."
Hopes for the industry: "I subscribe to Pentagram’s philosophy that design has social purpose as well as power, and I’m proud of the role it has played in the past 10 years in shaping social movements. Now I believe the focus must be on the workplace to make it welcoming to people of diverse ethnicities, sexual expressions, and disabilities. Without a progressive core of designers, how can we profess to be qualified to shape progress as a whole?"
领英推荐
6. Angel Bantu
Graduate of the University of Hertfordshire : "Hi, I’m Angel! And I’d say my work reflects what I want to see in the industry; bold and daring. I specialise in branding and motion design. I recently won a D&AD Pencil, and my portfolio was also selected for D&AD's?New Blood: The Portfolios."
Ambition: "Striving to push my passions forward by being brave enough not to shy away from topics (you might want to change this word) that are important to me. All whilst learning and absorbing what is fresh and new in the industry."
Hopes for the industry: "For it to not turn the other away and take a step back. We reflect audiences and communities, and they deserve to be seen. At the moment, the industry is doing an amazing job in terms of diversity and accurate representation, which is one of the most important things to me."
7. Benjamin Khan
Graduate of Central Saint Martins : "I specialise in immersive storytelling through animation, where I devote my passion and expertise to crafting every aspect of the world. My goal is to captivate audiences and transport them into the rich narratives I create."
Ambition: "I'd love to be involved?in projects that optimise?my current skills whilst learning?new approaches, techniques and styles to storytelling in animation."
Hopes for the industry: "I hope to continue doing what I love, telling and designing storytelling, I also want to start collaborating with other designers to tackle bigger?projects!"
8. Vania Campos
Graduate of Nottingham Trent University : "As a versatile designer, I love to experiment with different styles and techniques, so my work is constantly evolving, and my creativity is never limited. I'm heavily inspired by counterculture and love designs that stand out from the norm and bring a fresh, exciting perspective to the table. I also?happen to be?a D&AD?New Blood Pencil winner!"
Ambition: "Ideally, I would like to start in the industry to gain as much experience as possible, and to be able to learn from and be inspired by creative professionals."
Hopes for the industry: "To keep having fun and exploring different styles so that I can create designs that are diverse and positively disruptive. I also want to keep creating meaningful work that highlights people’s stories, especially?underrepresented ones."
9. Oliver Scorey
Graduate of the University of Hertfordshire : "I'm a recent graduate from the University of Hertfordshire and a D&AD New Blood Pencil winner. As a multi-disciplinary creative with a penchant for all things branding and packaging, I also enjoy tackling a brief with thorough research to discover unique insights, as well as any opportunity to flex my illustration skills."
Ambition: "I hope to continue learning and experimenting with the best of the best, developing my current skill set and exploring new techniques, mediums and software. I would also love the chance to create meaningful work with long-lasting impacts, following the projects from conception until release."
Hopes for the industry: "I would love to see more equitable representation within the leadership of design agencies and a greater push for eco-consciousness and sustainability within our work."
10. Paula Gomez Picon
Graduate of the London College of Communication : "I am a graphic branding designer, with a deep passion for storytelling: capturing the essence of a brand and transforming it into a compelling visual identity."
Ambition: "I am driven to continue learning. It’s exciting to start the journey as a designer within a different atmosphere where I can continue discovering new projects and learn within a studio environment."
Hopes for the industry: "Continue learning, always, and create something memorable."
--
All images and videos are subject to copyright. Please seek permission from the respective owners before republishing.
Hi Ian, thank you so much for including my work for this year, it’s great honour!
Deputy Programme Leader: Graphic Design and Illustration at the University of Hertfordshire
1 年Thanks for doing this each year Ian, brilliant work as always. And congrats to Becca Lee, Valerya Milovanova, Angel Bantu and Oliver Scorey ?? ?? ?? ??
Joint Managing Director | Designer | Board Advisor | Founding Member - Chief UK & Women Leaders Forum
1 年Loving this yearly list!
Graphic Branding Designer
1 年Thank you, Ian, for featuring me amongst such an amazing collection of graduates.
Midweight Designer, Made Thought
1 年Great work Nils Bj?rkman, well deserved recognition!