New Name for Filton College

Last month, the Secretary of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes MP, granted the final approval for Filton College and Stroud College to merge and become South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

As a result, the new Corporation required re-branding, involving a new logo which the Corporation decided to give students the opportunity to design.

Learners from both Filton and Stroud Colleges undertaking the Art and Design Foundation Diploma, BTEC Extended Diploma in Graphics and Illustration and Foundation Degree in Creative Practices (Graphic Design) took part in the competition.

There was a specific design brief to adhere to which capitalised on all of the design and artistic attributes which the students have been studying as part of their programmes. Once the designs had been entered, the five top designs were presented to a design panel which consisted of students, members from the Marketing Departments of both Colleges, an external design agency, and an employer representative. Each presentation included concept, rationale, research and design options.

The three best presentations from both Colleges were selected for a final presentation to the new Corporation and members of the Senior Management Team, earlier this month.

Harrison Gates, a second year Graphic Design student from Filton College, had the winning design. Originally from Essex, Harrison initially studied and practised in the field of architecture before embarking on the Foundation Degree in Creative Practices at Filton College.

Harrison now has the opportunity to be involved in work experience with outside agencies to see his design rolled out for the new College identity.

Malcolm Turner, Programme Leader for the FdA Creative Practices course, commented: “This is a commendable achievement and demonstrates the level of progress and standards achieved by the Foundation Degree Graphic students at Filton College.”

Sara-Jane Watkins, Vice Principal comments: “This was a fantastic opportunity to engage our students in the merger process and to ensure that the logo chosen really reflects and responds to their needs as students. It is also an excellent opportunity for our learners to then work with a design agency to see the winning design used on all corporate branding from 1 February 2012. ”

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