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25 May, 2017

University Centre Somerset student wins prestigious D&AD New Blood Award

For the second year running a University Centre Somerset student has won a prestigious New Blood Award from D&AD, the creative body that represents the creative, design and advertising communities, not just in Britain, but worldwide.

For the second year running a University Centre Somerset student has won a prestigious New Blood Award from D&AD, the creative body that represents the creative, design and advertising communities, not just in Britain, but worldwide.

One of the briefs for this year’s New Blood Awards was to design a Hasbro game that takes young adults away from the screen. Ian Wilson, who is studying the Graphic Media & Communication Foundation Degree entered the competition as part of his year two modules and began working on some concepts.

Out of several ideas he trialled, the overwhelming response was to go with Drawkward. Similar to Pictionary the game requires the drawer to be disadvantaged, for example by spinning around before drawing, being blindfolded, drawing with their elbows or by many other awkward means. The teammates then have to guess what they have drawn, if they get it right they move along the board.

Ian had to create the game itself along with two videos and research & development boards, all ready for submitting in March earlier this year. After the submission date Ian put the awards out of his mind and focused on his next challenge. It wasn’t until classmates and staff congratulated him on social media in mid-May that he discovered that he had won this prestigious award. Click here to see the submission.

“I had put it completely out of my mind after the submission date, I never thought I would win and I was so shocked to hear my design had been chosen”, said Ian Wilson

Ian has now been invited to accept his award on stage at the New Blood Awards Ceremony during the New Blood Festival in London in July.

“Ian is an outstanding student and it’s great to have his achievements recognised. And his game is so much fun to play!”, commented Lorna Sheppard,  Programme Leader for Graphic Media & Communication.

Ian is hoping to convert his Foundation Degree into a full BA (Honours) Degree at the University Centre Somerset by completing the Top-up year Graphic Media & Communication. Following graduation Ian had intended to move into comic design or illustration, although he has now had his mind opened up to other designing possibilities.

If you think this could be you, come and see us at our Creative Arts Show in June and sign-up now to start your degree in September.