Smart Designs for Graphic Design Students

Students in the second year of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course at York College have worked on a project with Mercedes-Benz to develop creative solutions to encourage potential car buyers to visit the northern region showrooms, in order to test drive the smart car.

The students were given a brief from Mercedes-Benz and tasked with investigating the potential target audience and customer profile. They were asked to develop a range of concepts, using a multi channelled approach eg posters, press ads, web based communications.

Richard Sutton, Mercedes-Benz and smart North Yorkshire's Marketing Manager, discussed progress with the students and offered direction from a commercial and practical viewpoint. The students then produced final design solutions for a presentation to the client.

York College Graphic Design tutor, Alan Preston said: “The College has worked with Mercedes–Benz of York for six years and the initiative has proved to be an invaluable and enjoyable addition to the course. The project allows Graphic Design students to work in a realistic commercial relationship with professionals in industry and the staff at Mercedes-Benz are experts in their field. They allow students to have full access to the showrooms and resources whilst working in a supportive environment to develop their concepts. Students pitch their ideas in a commercial context and receive constructive feedback. This, in turn, helps them hone their skills as they develop and prepare for positions in the design industry of the future.”