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.
