CNS hosts first-ever Brandland workshop

A group of Year 10 graphic art students recently participated in an exciting pilot scheme run by the Norfolk-based branding organisation Brandland. The scheme aims to nurture new talent and develop an interest in branding, design, and the creative industries.

Local design and marketing agencies BuxtonThreeTwo, Creative Sponge, and krow.x, came together with CNS alumnus George Colley who owns Norwich-based Brick Pizza, and lecturer Andy Judd from Norwich University of the Arts (NUA), to deliver a brand workshop in which they worked with the students on a design brief. 

The Year 10s were tasked with inventing a new kid-focused sub-brand for the restaurant and designing the pizza boxes. Students were split into small teams and competed against each other to come up with the winning design. The session allowed the students to learn more about the role of branding and how this translates into business, talk to industry specialists, and participate in a real-life work-based design experience.

The exercise resulted in some great work and Brick Pizza owner George had the difficult job of selecting the winning design which, after much deliberation, was awarded to students Kaitlyn and Ivana who will now see their design professionally worked up and printed on boxes for use in the restaurant.  And of course, at the end of the session, everyone enjoyed pizza for lunch, courtesy of Brick Pizza!

Robert Jones, Professor of Brand Leadership said “When I was at school I had no idea there were careers in the creative industries.  So at Brandland we’re keen to open students’ eyes – and to find brilliant new talent”

CNS is proud to have been part of this new and exciting collaboration.   Schemes such as this add emphasis to important learning elements within the curriculum, increase student engagement and lead to better academic performance.  Following the success of this inaugural workshop, it is hoped that the scheme can be rolled out as a programme to other schools in the region, with City of Norwich School becoming the lead.

Holly Howarth, Deputy Faculty Leader in Creative Technologies said “We are excited to be taking part in the new Brandland scheme, connecting professionals with schools. It’s enabled our students to learn about what Graphic Communications can look like as a potential career in the creative industries, and we’re excited to see how this can reach a wider cohort of students in Norfolk.”