International design award for Middlesex illustrator
International design award for Middlesex illustrator
20/05/2016
BA Illustration degree student Nicole Cowan wins D&AD New Blood award for her images
Third Year Illustration student Nicole Cowan has scooped an international D&AD New Blood award for her creative work on the theme ‘shop till we drop’.
The international competition is open to students and designers under the age of 24 and sees a series of industry-standard briefs set by some of the world's biggest brands.
Nicole was named the winner of Shutterstock’s brief for her work on tragedy, the quest and overcoming the monster.
“My most common inspiration is noticing and documenting the people around us and this has become a main focus within my work," says Nicole. “For the three images I submitted, I began thinking about how I could answer the brief in a way that I could most relate to.”
This led Nichole to a series of illustrations of people in everyday situations common to consumer culture as she looked to highlight people's constant desire for things they cannot have.
Nichole says that studying on the BA Illustration degree at Middlesex has really helped her to develop her work.
“We are constantly encouraged to develop our own style, avoiding a 'house style' within our work. Our tutors encourage us to work outside our comfort zone and to experiment, which over the three years pushes your work into unpredictable directions," she says.
“Another really amazing thing about Middlesex is the fact we have our own desk space in the studios, which allows a creative environment to evolve, so as students and friends we all inspire each other.”
International design award for Middlesex illustrator
The international competition is open to students and designers under the age of 24 and sees a series of industry-standard briefs set by some of the world's biggest brands.
Nicole was named the winner of Shutterstock’s brief for her work on tragedy, the quest and overcoming the monster.
“My most common inspiration is noticing and documenting the people around us and this has become a main focus within my work," says Nicole. “For the three images I submitted, I began thinking about how I could answer the brief in a way that I could most relate to.”
This led Nichole to a series of illustrations of people in everyday situations common to consumer culture as she looked to highlight people's constant desire for things they cannot have.
Nichole says that studying on the BA Illustration degree at Middlesex has really helped her to develop her work.
“We are constantly encouraged to develop our own style, avoiding a 'house style' within our work. Our tutors encourage us to work outside our comfort zone and to experiment, which over the three years pushes your work into unpredictable directions," she says.
“Another really amazing thing about Middlesex is the fact we have our own desk space in the studios, which allows a creative environment to evolve, so as students and friends we all inspire each other.”