Grace Oatway

Year: 2nd Year 
Project: Agency Set Brief

Brandon Consultants recently partnered with UCEN Manchester to challenge second-year Graphic Design and Branding students with an imaginative project titled “Brand the Boring.” The brief encouraged students to take an everyday, unremarkable object and transform it into an innovative brand within an established industry. Developed in collaboration with course leader Alex Komlosy, the project aimed to inspire creative thinking, strengthen branding skills, and provide students with valuable industry experience.

Throughout the project, students received feedback and guidance from the Brandon team before presenting their final concepts at the agency’s Manchester studio. The quality of work impressed the judges, with Grace Oatway being selected as the overall winner for her concept,“Sticky.” Her idea cleverly reimagined a simple glue stick as a beauty product, drawing inspiration from similarities in packaging and application methods found within the cosmetics industry.

Grace explained that the brief immediately sparked her creativity and allowed her to combine her passion for branding with her interest in the beauty sector. Her research process included visits to retail stores, competitor analysis, surveys, and the development of multiple brand concepts before refining her chosen direction through feedback. She also created photography plans, packaging designs, and advertising concepts to bring the brand to life.

As part of her prize, Grace spent a day immersed in the Brandon studio, working alongside designer and mentor Bryony. The experience gave her valuable insight into professional branding, client collaboration, idea development, and the strategic decision-making required to create successful brands.

The partnership highlights Brandon’s commitment to supporting emerging creative talent. By giving students real-world challenges and access to industry professionals, initiatives like “Brand the Boring” help bridge the gap between education and employment while encouraging the next generation of designers to think differently and push creative boundaries.

“My favourite part of the project was both the copywriting and the hands-on photography. I love copywriting in general, and being able to go in any direction I wanted really helped me play to my strengths.”

Grace Oatway

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Post generated from Brandon Consultant’s blog article ‘Brand the Boring! Brandon x UCEN Manchester’. No copyright claims.

See: Brand the Boring! Brandon x UCEN Manchester

Contextual Practice – D&AD New Blood Awards

Year: 3rd Year 
Project: Contextual Practice (D&AD New Blood Awards)

The Graphic Design & Branding course is undertaking an internal review into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the creative industries. The review forms part of its commitment to ensuring students develop the skills and knowledge required for successful careers in an evolving workplace.

The review examines how AI is being used within industry and how it can be meaningfully incorporated into teaching and learning. By exploring both the opportunities and limitations of AI, UCEN Manchester aims to help students engage with emerging technologies in a critical, informed and professionally relevant way.

The work is supported by external organisations and professionals already using AI in real-world creative contexts. Contributing partners include Brandon Consultancy, Studio Drama, Design Bridge and Cantarus, alongside UCEN Manchester alumni working as freelance creatives. Their involvement ensures the review reflects current industry practice and graduate expectations.

Within the course, third-year Jordan Keeble has been exploring AI through his own academic practice. For his contextual practice module, Jordan used a D&AD New Blood Awards brief to compare outcomes produced using his own design skills with those generated by an AI platform.

Jordan gave the AI tool the same information he had access to, setting basic ground rules and asking it to research before generating an advertising concept. His project was motivated by concerns among students that AI could reduce opportunities within the creative industries.

Jordan said: “A lot of students are worried that AI might replace jobs before we’ve even had the chance to enter the industry. I wanted to test that idea properly by seeing what AI could produce when it was given the same brief and constraints I was working with.”

His research found that while AI excelled at rapid idea generation and could produce work at an entry-level standard, his own work demonstrated greater creativity and a stronger emotional connection with the intended audience. The findings also highlighted the potential for designers and AI tools to work together successfully.

“AI can be a powerful support tool, but it still relies on human creativity, judgement and understanding. Rather than replacing designers, I think it’s more likely to change how we work.”

Jordan Keeble

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Sasha Hawkes & Sophie Sergeant

Year: 2nd Year 
Project: Contextual Practice (Placements)

Two UCEN Manchester Students Impress at Studio North Design Placement

Manchester, UK — Two graphic design students from UCEN Mcr have recently completed a successful placement at the renowned design agency Studio North, earning high praise from their mentor Holly.

Sophie and Sasha, currently progressing onto their final year of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Branding course, were tasked with a creative rebranding project for Podback, a coffee pod recycling service. Unlike typical live briefs, Studio North encouraged the students to explore ideas freely without the pressure of client deadlines.

Holly, their mentor at Studio North, shared her feedback with one of their tutors, saying:

“We were all really impressed with their positive attitudes during the placement, as well as the quality of the ideas and work they produced from the brief we set. Both Sophie and Sasha showed a really good commercial outlook on design, coming up with creative ideas that not only looked great but also felt relevant to the brand’s DNA and audience. They demonstrated strong technical skills and a great eye for design, always backing their creative choices with clear, thoughtful reasoning.”

She added, “They made a brilliant impression during their time with us, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in their final year and future careers.”

During their first two years at Ucen Manchester, Sophie and Sasha gained valuable experience working on live projects with companies such as Unison, Valtech, and Arden School of Theatre. Initially, both students were apprehensive about working in agency settings, expressing a preference for in-house graphic design roles. However, their experience at Studio North has shifted their perspective, and they now embrace the dynamic and creative environment that agency work offers.

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Branding course has played a crucial role in preparing Sophie and Sasha for professional opportunities. The course offers a blend of practical live projects, industry engagement, and creative exploration, helping students develop strong technical skills, a professional mindset, and confidence in their design choices. The support from experienced tutors and real-world client work has enabled them to grow from tentative beginners to capable, commercially aware designers ready to take on the final year of their studies and beyond.

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