UAL Graphics & Digital Design students Jess Sweet and Cambell Raine have reached the finals of the WorldSkills UK Graphic Design Competition.

This year’s competition has attracted 286 entrants from all over the UK in the Graphic Design category with 26 making it into the final. Jess and Cambell are the only entrants from North East to enter the final which will take place in Wales.

Cambell Raine, 17 years old from Darlington said, “I am really happy and excited to have reached the finals of the WorldSkills UK Graphic Design competition as I understand the scale of how big an achievement it is, as well as the competition I have faced so far and will face in the final. Participating in the final will be such a big opportunity for me and I can’t wait.

“I originally found out about the competition through my tutor, Tom Burton, who recommended and encouraged me to enter. I then later researched into the competition, which only pushed my decision to enter further and grew my interest.

“My entry was a project based around creating artwork that links the countryside and scenery of Haweswater to the book ‘Wildfell’. I was free to use any techniques and resources I chose but I was asked to create an outcome through a form of illustration. I chose to focus on the landscape of Haweswater and the ‘last’ golden eagle mentioned throughout the book.

“I created 3 deliverables for my outcome which included: an A4 poster, an iPad version of the poster and three 20×20 cm signs following the theme of the artwork. I found this qualifying project very challenging as it isn’t usually my style of work but it turned out to be very rewarding as I was proud of my outcomes and it pushed my comfort zone further as a designer.”

Jess said she was also encouraged to enter the competition: “My tutors at The Northern School of Art told me about it and encouraged me to enter. They’ve been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process and I’m really grateful for their guidance, especially during moments when I wasn’t feeling confident.”

Talking about the competition she said, “The first stage was a brief from the RSPB. We were asked to respond to a passage from Wild Fell by Lee Schofield, which is about conservation and the re-wilding of Haweswater.

“The task was to create a design that captured the key themes of the book. I created a main poster using hand-drawn illustration, traditional serif fonts inspired by naturalist field guides, and a natural colour palette based on the RSPB’s branding. The design features a golden eagle, alpine plants and flowing water, all chosen to represent rediscovery and wildlife returning to the landscape.

“I then adapted the poster for iPad displays in bookshops, adjusting the layout and scale for screen while keeping the tone and visual identity consistent. I also designed three interpretive signs, each paired with a quote from the book. Each one was styled to evoke a different mood such as calm, reflective or hopeful, using colour, typography and illustration to support the emotion.”

The competition includes different stages of challenges, she said, adding: “The semi-final was a completely different challenge. We were given a live brief over Microsoft Teams and had five hours to produce three outcomes for Vimto: a fridge pack, a social media campaign and a presentation board. The brief focused on their new heritage campaign and encouraging customers to visit their website.

“My concept, Vimto Roots, celebrated the brand’s Manchester heritage and rise in popularity during the 1990s. I reworked elements from their 1997 packaging, introduced bold colours inspired by the decade and used the Manchester Bee as a key symbol. It represents community, nature and the fruit-based ingredients, all central to the Vimto brand.

“Both briefs tested me in different ways. The RSPB project pushed me creatively, especially with illustration, while the Vimto challenge tested how well I could work under pressure. I’ve come away with more confidence, a broader skill set and a better ability to adapt quickly.”

Cambell’s Vimto said his design was inspired by artists like “Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama and Roy Lichtenstein whilst also adding my own modern twist on the style of their artwork. I incorporated their Manchester roots through imagery of the town hall, a well-known landmark within the Manchester city centre. My work blended a modern spin with retro pop art whilst also hinting towards Manchester and the carbonated form of the drink. I once again felt this really pushed my comfort zone and I am very happy with the outcomes.”

Reflecting on reaching the final Jess commented that it had been “such an exciting and unexpected achievement, especially as I had doubts at the start. I wasn’t sure my designs would stand out, as I moved away from my usual clean, digital style and leaned into digital illustration instead, which isn’t really my strong suit, but I felt it was the right choice for the briefs.

“Taking that creative risk has definitely paid off, and being recognised at this level has really boosted my confidence. It’s a great reminder that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I’m really looking forward to meeting other creatives from across the UK.”

Senior Lecturer Tom Burton said: “Huge congratulations to Jess and Cambell! Their incredible dedication and talent have taken them from the entry stage through the qualifiers, and now they’re heading to the finals in Wales. The competition briefs required students to read and understand existing brand guidelines and respond to creative stimuli.

“This professional brief format is something our students are well prepared for through the industry-relevant projects they complete with us on the Graphic & Digital Design course. We’re so proud of the high-quality work produced by all our Graphic & Digital Design students. Balancing competition entries with coursework is no small feat, and Jess and Cambell have truly excelled.”

Speaking of studying on our graphics diploma Jess said: “I’m really enjoying it. Choosing to study Graphic and Digital Design at The Northern School of Art was one of the best decisions I’ve made. The course offers a great balance of creative freedom and industry preparation. It’s hands-on, relevant and constantly evolving. I’ve always been passionate about art, and studying here has only strengthened that. It’s made me more confident in my abilities and excited about the future.”

“Recently I completed my first paid live project, designing a website for a local prom shop which you can visit at prettylittleprom.co.uk, which was a brilliant experience and gave me a real taste of working with clients. I’m now looking to take on more freelance work and build a strong portfolio to share on my Instagram page. The industry talks, client briefs and studio visits have given me a much clearer idea of how the creative industry works and what kind of designer I want to be. The course has challenged me in all the right ways and I feel ready to take the next step.”

Cambell commented that the “the course is perfect for me, both challenging and rewarding. My tutors are amazing, they have been so kind and helpful; they have really helped me develop further than I could have ever imagined and explore my skills as a Graphic Designer ever since I joined. I am now heading into my second year of the course and can’t wait for what’s ahead.”

Keep up to date with Jess and Cambell’s work on their Instagram @madenorth.studio and @rainegraphics_ 

If you are interested in studying graphics or digital design at college then look no further! We offer a dynamic UAL Extended Diploma that offers students the skills, staff and the resources needed to develop their work as well as varied projects, industry partners and live opportunities to help build their experience. Find out more here.