Calling all arts and design students: new ‘Class of 2021’ project offers chance to showcase final year degree work through virtual exhibition

Students have been among the worst affected by the pandemic, with many missing out on final year degree shows, which are normally a life-defining moment on the education journey before taking the next step into the workplace. This new project will provide students a platform to showcase their work to the global creative community, giving them a second chance to earn the recognition they deserve.

“This project will be a significant focus for The Drum and Canon throughout 2021 and is our way of showing our dedication to helping ensure that students’ creative talent does not go untapped,” says Gordon Young, editor-in-chief of The Drum. “It’s a unique opportunity for students to showcase their work to the creative companies that make up our core readership and which might just turn out to be their future employers.”

To do this, The Drum has developed a special online platform that will enable students to upload their work directly on to the website for free as a way of connecting with some of the best minds from across the global creative community. Students can create their own profile, upload a variety of images to showcase their work and share more details about their project, with the ability to tag relevant categories/disciplines – for example, illustration, fine art, photography, graphic design, 3D, architecture, interior design etc.

All students who get involved will be sent a personalized printed ‘student pack’ to also showcase their unique work offline in the real-world to potential future employers. Students from all over the UK have already expressed interest in being involved.

“In what has been an incredibly challenging year not just for Creative Advertising students at the University of Gloucestershire but for students studying practical creative subjects all over the country, support from organizations such as The Drum is invaluable in promoting the new generation of creatives entering the workplace,” says Carl Halford, the course leader for BA Advertising at the University of Gloucestershire. “It’s certainly something we hope continues in the future, post-Covid.”

The digital ‘degree show’ will officially launch on June 29 2021 to showcase this creative work through a virtual gallery exhibition. For students and university course leaders who feel they or their students might have missed out and are looking for a second chance to earn the recognition they deserve, sign up now for more information, to upload your work to the ‘Class of 2021’ and start connecting with creatives here: /project/class-of-2021/registration.