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É«É«À²â€™s third year BA (Hons) Graphics & Illustration students saw outstanding success at this year’s New Designers 2025 exhibition, held at London’s Business Design Centre in July. This prestigious event, a highlight of the UK design calendar, showcased the work of creative graduates from across the country, and É«É«À²â€™s cohort left a lasting impression on both the public and industry professionals alike.

Each student presented a unique and highly personal body of work, reflecting their chosen specialism in either graphic design or illustration. The exhibition not only celebrated their creative achievements but also traced their growth and transformation over the course of the three-year programme. The breadth and quality of the work exhibited truly highlighted the depth of talent nurtured at .CSVPA.

Among the stand-out moments of the event, two students received industry recognition for their projects. Nataliya Green was awarded the Hallmark ‘Love You’ Prize for her series of editorial illustrations exploring everyday activities that support better mental health for young people. Elisha Owen was honoured with a place in the Affinity Top 10 Designers for her bold typographic campaign exploring the rich linguistic landscape of the UK. She received a lifetime membership for all of its award-winning graphics and illustration software. These awards underscore the calibre of É«É«À²’s teaching and the hard work and vision of our students.

Furthermore, É«É«À² students have attracted significant industry interest, receiving multiple job and internship offers, as well as freelance opportunities. Notably, Nataliya Green has been invited by a global company to exhibit her illustration work.

Exhibiting at New Designers offers our students more than just a platform to display their final projects—it provides invaluable exposure to the creative industry. Throughout the week, students engaged with design professionals, potential employers, and fellow creatives, gaining direct feedback, networking opportunities, and real-world insights that will shape their future careers. Public exhibitions like New Designers empower our young creatives to step confidently into the professional world, armed with both the experience and the recognition that comes from showcasing their talent on a national stage.

Steps to Wellness – Nataliya Green

Steps to Wellness is a series of editorial illustrations that explores everyday activities as accessible pathways to better mental health for young people. Each illustration is designed to normalise and celebrate small, enjoyable actions that support emotional wellbeing. Through a balance of expressive line work and digital rendering, the artwork presents a relatable and uplifting visual narrative, encouraging young people to find mental clarity, connection and calm.

The series acts as both inspiration and affirmation: a reminder that supporting your mind can start with the everyday.

Hamlet! – Elisha Owen

Celebrating language, region and typographic expression this work explores the rich linguistic landscape of the United Kingdom through a bold typographic campaign for the National Theatre’s modern adaptation of Hamlet.

Each poster in the campaign localises iconic lines from Hamlet using expressive typography and the distinct rhythms, slang and humour of specific UK regions. The campaign encourages audiences through visual and verbal familiarity – blending Shakespearian drama with the living language of local communities.

Colour palettes are drawn from each featured city, grounding the work further in place and identity. This celebratory approach to language champions its adaptability, fluidity and power to connect across time and geography.

The Handmaids Tale – Ruby Williams-Davies

Illustrations exploring the horrors of the dystopian world of the book The Handmaids Tale. Using gouache and graphite combined with oil, these illustrations were designed as 47 chapter headings, book cover, sleeve and a bookmark for a limited edition of the book, imagined for publication by The Folio Society.

The novel and illustrations portray a dystopian future and society where women’s rights are stripped away, using themes of power, control, and resistance to examine the consequences of extreme patriarchy and religion. The illustrations explore themes and fears that resonate with us all.

OFFLINE – Emma Cadman

OFFLINE is a mental health and lifestyle campaign encouraging young people to take mindful breaks from social media and reconnect with the real world. It promotes wellbeing though nature, movement and reflection.

The hand-pixelated logo bridges digital and analogue worlds, while the colour palette combines amber tones to reduce screen strain with vibrant pink to capture attention and appeal to a younger audience. Sustainability is central – from eco-friendly print to low-impact digital design – supporting both personal and environmental health.

The campaign spans a multi-platform experience, including a printed publication with tips on mental health, self-reflection and sustainable living, along with a custom app. The app features local walking trails, an OFFLINE Mode to limit screen time, and tools like a digital gallery and personal dashboard to track time spend away from social media.

The End of Father Christmas – Nicole Chan

The End of Father Christmas is an illustrated children’s book that gently explores the moment that many children experience – the discovery that Father Christmas is not who they thought he was.

Using thoughtful character development and a carefully shaped storyline, the narrative follows two curious siblings on a Christmas Eve adventure. The story takes a tender turn when then discover that their parents have been behind the Christmas stockings and surprises all along. Initially disappointed, the young protagonists come to understand a deeper truth. That the joy, warmth and wonder of Christmas has always come from love, care and the spirit of giving.

Explore our Undergraduate courses in BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Illustration and BA (Hons) Visual Communication.