UAL Extended Diploma in Graphic & Digital Design student’s studying at our Middlesbrough campus have been working on a live brief to support Cleveland Police’s seasonal drink and drug drive campaign by creating artwork which could help spread the message amongst drivers.

Students have designed a number of posters to be used on Cleveland Police social media pages to help encourage drivers not to drink alcohol or take drugs and get behind the wheel.

One winner was picked from four shortlisted entries by road safety officers from Cleveland Police’s Matrix Team. Ava Wilson was presented with voucher on Tuesday 3rd December to mark her achievement. Speaking of working on the project Ava commented; “I am very pleased to be selected for the campaign because it means I am creating awareness that will hopefully help people to consider their actions. I decided to approach the project with a more light-hearted side so more people pay attention as it is different to the typical way these campaigns communicate. I hope that my design will encourage people to think before they drink this Christmas. Overall, this is a great opportunity I am glad to be a part of.”

The Christmas drink and drug drive campaign, which launched on Friday 1^st December, sees a concentrated effort by officers to detect drink and drug drivers at the time of year when traditionally more people may be socialising. The national campaign is led by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC). Figures nationally show that drug drivers are predominantly aged 18 to 35 years, and drink drivers predominantly 25 to 59 years.

Sergeant Mark Kewley, from Cleveland Police’s Road Safety Team and Chair of the Cleveland Road Safety Partnership, said: “We are really grateful to all the students from the Northern School of Art who got involved in pulling together these designs for social media to help spread the message to drivers about not drinking or taking drugs and driving.”

“We know that the younger age group has some of the highest numbers of drink and drug drivers nationally and we hope that these designs will resonate with some of the younger generation and that it may make them think twice about their behaviour, and the catastrophic consequences that can come of driving whilst impaired.”

College Lecturer Tom Burton said “Our learners on the Level 3 Graphic & Digital Design course have relished the opportunity to work with Cleveland Police for the second year running and each one of our designers worked hard to develop unique and interesting takes on the problem of Drink and Drug Driving. Ava’s snappy strapline and subtle imagery will work well to engage with audiences of all ages. We would like to thank everyone at Cleveland Police for the opportunity for another fantastic live brief.”

If you are a school leaver looking to study graphic or digital design at college level make sure you check out our diploma. On this course student’s work on a variety of projects, including live briefs with real clients, with the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of industry contacts for projects, workshops, talks and studio visits. Find out more here.