Graphic students have designs on anti
racism
Friday, 18th May 2007
Graphic Design students at Leicester
College and Leeds College of Art and Design have designed a range
of anti racism posters with the support of Unite (Amicus
section).
This year the competition was hot and 20
students submitted over 45 designs to win prizes offered by Unite
and other trade unions.
The competition was started in 2005 by Anne
Hock from Popularis, a ballot management company, and has drawn
interest from trade unions across the world. Posters designed by
graphic design students at Leicester College are being displayed in
workplaces, football stadiums, schools, colleges, prisons and
police stations.
Tony Dubbins, Unite Deputy General Secretary,
said: “What started out as a campaign has turned into a
showcase for the wealth of talent among young designers in our
industry. These young people are professional, imaginative and
really committed. They deserve a terrific future and I hope the
industry gives them every opportunity to achieve
it.”
The students all study the BTec Graphic Design
course and are aged between 18 and 20 years. Kate Drew, course
tutor at Leicester College, has supported the competition from the
start. “It gives a real opportunity for students to
understand the demands of producing designs in a commercial
environment”, Kate said.
Students had to provide finished artwork ready
to print as one of their industrial projects, and in return three
lucky students at each college win prizes and all get to see
printed versions of their designs which are then distributed
throughout the UK. Students were encouraged to be creative and
resourceful in their designs, and many use their own photographs of
friends and family in their posters.
Anne Hock, Managing Director of Popularis,
said: “The posters have a positive effect in dealing
with racism as they get people talking about the realism of living
in a multi-cultural society. They give the silent majority who are
against racism an opportunity to be heard. When you look at all the
other problems people have of poverty, lack of housing, and getting
employment, then the colour of your skin means
nothing.”
The competition has drawn enthusiastic support
from Unite, particularly the graphical, paper and media sector.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact
Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or
07980 224 761.
