New Blood 2017

As is becoming tradition, I took a trip to the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch last week to check out the always-eye-opening D&AD New Blood Exhibition – a nationwide gathering of the finest student designers, university courses and their work.

With a special black wrist-band I was able to pop in for the private view on launch night (big thanks to James from the University of Plymouth GCOM course for the invite!) and take advantage of the free drinks while I perused, followed by a proper walk around on the following morning.
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As always the standard was wide-ranging but generally very high. Some real stand-out pieces, uni stands and course brochures made for a really interesting viewing experience.

So, who should we be keeping an eye on? Well the following ten students’ work stood out – why not start with them?
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Rebecca Mitchell / University of Portsmouth

YCN Brief: Fedrigoni
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Jack Parker & Dominic Parsons / University of Central Lancashire

Fairy liquid
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Rebecca McCann / University of Dundee

All Aboard the Scandi-wagon
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Harriet Richardson / University of Central Lancashire

Smartwater/Creative Block
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Alexander Peck / University of Central Lancashire

Original Source
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Jasper McIver / Leeds College of Art

Nivea – Start the Revolution against sensitive skin
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Rob Scott / Arts University Bournemouth

‘Because’ glyph
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Ollie Batterham / Norwich University

Doctor’s Orders
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Ross Norton / Norwich University

Bear packaging
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Lewis Osborne / Plymouth University

Bluedot Festival
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Honourable mention

A quick shout out to the Plymouth University Illustration stand – a real stand-out effort with custom built shelving for consistent display of student work and lovely little slots for business cards. Also – they had fans.

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Ps. There seem to be quite a lot of outstanding pieces at Lancashire and Norwich – a good gauge of course quality, I’d suggest.