Two graphic design students from The Northern School of Art (CCAD) have won a creative challenge to design a Christmas card for a business and science park, and will now see their designs in print.

The Wilton Centre, based near the Wilton International manufacturing site in Redcar, approached the college in Middlesbrough with the opportunity for students from the Level 3 graphic design course to take part in a live brief, which involved creating a design for the company’s corporate Christmas card.

Tasked with creating a visually impressive design which would reflect the diverse range of tenants at the Centre and would appeal to a wide range of audiences, 17-year old Laura Holmes from Brotton near Saltburn and Sarah Stevens, 17, from Guisborough seriously impressed the team, and their winning artwork was selected to go into production for this year’s design and Christmas 2016.

For Laura’s concept, which will be used this year, she created a blue bauble with the Wilton Centre logo featured in the centre. She said: “I followed the design process to take different aspects of Wilton Centre – who they are and what they do – into a card that was fitting for the festive occasion. It was brilliant when I found out that I had won, I was so happy! My parents are really proud too.

“At CCAD, the atmosphere is very creative and relaxed, and the staff are inspiring, which really helps with projects like these.”

The inspiration for Sarah came from a snowflake, in which she cleverly uses laboratory equipment to create the design effect. She said: “I took inspiration from the different work tools of office and lab supplies, which the tenants of Wilton Centre use, and bringing them together into one motif. I was extremely pleased to hear that I had won, and it was really nice that we were both chosen. Although it is over a year away, I am looking forward to seeing my design in print for Christmas 2016!

“I really enjoy the fact that we have so much freedom to explore our own ideas, and the live briefs and specialist studio facilities at college really help to prepare you for the world of work.”

The students enjoyed a visit and tour of the Wilton Centre and were delighted to receive a cash prize of £50 each from Wilton Centre Site Director, Steve Duffield as a reward for their hard work. Commenting on their creativity and striking designs, Steve said: “We were very impressed by Laura and Sarah’s work and how they had responded to our brief. They both managed to cleverly incorporate our logo into very eye-catching Christmas card designs.

“We were delighted to be able to work with The Northern School of Art on this project which enabled us to extend our policy of supporting training and education for young people.”

Paul Clay, Graphic Design Lecturer at CCAD, said: “Laura and Sarah did an amazing job and took on board the client needs to create unusual and eye-catching designs, so our congratulations go to them for their hard work.

“Live brief projects such as these are so important, as they illustrate the need to work to specific requirements and address the needs of the client, much as you would in a real job, while delivering a creative and exciting piece of work. This really helps our students to taste the reality of working in within an industry which they may be working once they graduate.”

Both Laura and Sarah are hoping to go to study graphic design at university.