Degree show review: The University of Salford

The event was well attended, with representatives from a wide range of top Manchester companies including Waterstones, McCann, BBC, JD Sports, Kitbag, Age Concern, Salford Council, Dinosaur and of course, Photolink.

“The University of Salford undoubtedly has the knack of producing students who are not only talented in the various creative fields, but also in the strategic thought processes that lead to effective ideas," says John Whalley, creative director at Photolink. "It is largely because of this ‘added extra’ that we have a number of their former students within our strategic, design and digital teams."

Amongst the array of remarkable work was ‘Crop’, a final year group project from graduating students on the Design Futures course. This was certainly a standout project, with both impeccable aesthetics and a great concept.

The project looked at celebrating Salford and it’s identity as a creative city aiming to engage the local creative industry.

“We wanted to resolve genuine problems with the ‘Crop’ project and make a genuine difference using our creative thinking,” says Fiona Lauris, Design Futures graduate and ‘Crop’ project manager.

This project initially came about because the students questioned the need to append The University of Salford’s name with ‘Manchester’ within the controversial rebrand. There’s an intriguing streak of rebellion in this project that has been carried out with the maturity of people who understand the design industry and have the confidence to question decisions.

In comparison to Design Futures, the Graphic Design course also stood out but in a different way. Where Design Futures is a course focused on process, thinking and the use of design as a tool to address wider issues, the Graphics exhibit was very outcome focused. The final work, although sometimes obscure in its purpose, provided some extremely strong results. In particular, an illustrated face by Diana Giora was very striking.

Thomas Grant was the standout student on the Product Design course, but that could just have been because of the subject matter. He was looking at a gesture-based technology that involves connecting snowboarders remotely while on the slopes.

There are so many different disciplines displayed at the show, it was hard to pick up on any definite themes. I noticed quite a few interesting infographics and there was also a murmuring of less digitally created design and more handcrafted techniques. And, it may have just been me, but there seemed to be an absence of bold patterns and colour as an aesthetic; I want to say ‘muted’ but it seems too negative so maybe ‘subtle’ is more appropriate.

There is a lot of negativity in the industry about how Universities can become silos, but this event shows that not all universities are behind the times or disconnected from industry. The University of Salford has shown that it can create links with the best commercial and underground organisations, with PZ Cussons sponsoring the launch event and partnerships with some of the best creative networking groups in the region.

At Photolink we have undertaken numerous collaborative projects throughout this year with Salford students, and we’re obviously not alone in supporting the up and coming talent as many of the projects on show have been ‘live’ briefs, or linked with commercial industry.

The show is set in the university's new Salford campus in Media City UK which shows an impressive investment in the students.

“There is work on show which demonstrates yet again the real creative talent being nurtured by hardworking staff in Salford," says Roy Chilvers, Director, Graphics & Media Division at the university. "The venue for the show also demonstrates the investment made by the University in looking to keep their Art & Design graduates at the leading edge of creative development.”

I’ve probably attended every Salford Art & Design Degree Show for the past seven years, and each one has been different. This year is another big leap forward in terms of support, both from the school and from industry.

The students generally seem quite optimistic about taking their first tentative steps into the business. The challenge ahead is for them to maintain this optimism once the initial buzz of having their work showcased in a three floor, brand new, award-winning* venue wears off. However, there are undoubtedly some very talented individuals amongst their number, bound for big things in the future.

For more information and sneak peaks of work there is a shows blog at www.salfordshows.tumblr.com

*It won the Carbuncle award in 2011 for the UKs ugliest new building.