<p dir="ltr">25-year-old award-winning illustrator Zara Lily McDermott, from Kent, won Best in Show for her <a href="https://zaralilymcdermott.com/illustrated-throw">‘Seeds of Hope’</a> project, a woven jacquard throw and accompanying zine designed to represent female empowerment and community, with imagery based on responses to a questionnaire about themes of womanhood.</p> <p dir="ltr">An artist who is passionate about creating positive impact through her work, during her time studying at Arts University Plymouth Zara won <a href="https://www.creative-conscience.org.uk/winners/foraging-zine">Silver at the national Creative Conscience Awards</a> for her innovative zine about ethical foraging, which was designed to promote good health and wellbeing in a sustainable way.</p> <p dir="ltr">Zara said: “Winning Best in Show at D&amp;AD New Blood, and winning alongside my coursemate Brandon, feels like such an achievement and something I shall cherish for a long time. The idea for ‘Seeds of Hope’ came from wanting to make something that was authentic to me, but also touched on a theme I cared about. This project was all about celebrating female empowerment through community, and how we support each other to become stronger. I chose to make a tapestry as it’s traditionally used for storytelling of classical myths and historical scenes. I love that it’s a huge decorative outcome, but also symbolic of events and messages. I was partly inspired by Grayson Perry’s ‘The Vanity of Small Differences’ tapestry collection.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I absolutely loved studying at Arts University Plymouth. It covered everything I wanted to learn when I decided I wanted to study illustration. From exploring your practice, industry experience, and learning the business side of being freelance. I feel very grateful for all the help the tutors have given, they are so informative about the area of illustration, being practising artists themselves. I really appreciate the time and care they put into teaching. Next I’m hoping to take on more packaging and branding work alongside my more personal practice, though first I’m working with the Arts University Plymouth Students’ Union to design their new range of merchandise.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">21-year-old <a href="https://insinuationillustration.com/">Brandon Burch</a>, a freelance artist and heavy metal musician from Plymouth, won Best in Show for his high impact tour posters, album sleeves and band logos for a range of emerging UK metal bands.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brandon has a long history of association with the leading arts university, first attending half-term Young Arts workshops a decade ago and going on to study a <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art &amp; Design</a> at the university’s dedicated Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form centre before beginning undergraduate study.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brandon said: “I wasn’t expecting to win Best in Show but it has been a wonderful experience, demonstrating that all my hard work has been worth it. After studying at Arts University Plymouth as a creative alternative to A-Levels, staying to study BA (Hons) Illustration seemed like a great way to continue my work. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Arts University Plymouth and for a creative person like myself, having access to so many great resources has been extremely useful.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My art style is influenced by etchings from the 1800s, with artists like Gustave Doré being a heavy inspiration. I like to work with minimal palettes, using pen and ink to create detailed artwork. Music is obviously a massive part of my creative flow, which I use both for inspiration and motivation. In a changing world where AI can create visual works in seconds that hold no true meaning or emotion, I feel like there is still a large market of people out there who enjoy artworks with meaning that are laboured over.</p> <p dir="ltr"><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">“I want to use winning Best in Show at New Blood as a platform for more people in the metal scene to see my work and create opportunities for collaboration and to work with a wider range of bands. In future I want to branch out and expand my creative practice, but right now I hope any musicians who see the work I’ve created to date will get in touch if they’re looking for record sleeves, tour posters, band logos, t-shirt designs or just about anything else.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Named <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-shortlisted-for-university-of-the-year">University of the Year for South West England</a> in 2024 at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, Arts University Plymouth was the highest-scoring arts university in the UK in six of the seven National Student Survey 2024 categories. Overall, Arts University Plymouth was the top-ranking arts university in the UK for 20 of the 27 questions that students were asked in the NSS 2024, improved from last year when Arts University Plymouth was the top-ranking arts university in the UK for 17 of the 27 questions.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration">BA (Hons) Illustration</a> at Arts University Plymouth is an industry-informed degree that delves deep into the essence of contemporary illustration, defining its role in today's dynamic landscape. Students discover how to navigate commercial briefs and express their personal visions with equal finesse. The program fosters a sustainable and fulfilling illustration practice, preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving industry. To find out more email <a href="mailto:illustration@aup.ac.uk">illustration@aup.ac.uk</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/clearing">Clearing</a> is now open for 2024. It's not too late to apply to study with Arts University Plymouth in September 2024. From fashion, film and fine art to games, graphic design, illustration, and animation — the world needs creatives now more than ever.</p>