Three Arts University Plymouth designers named in top five for Plymouth Design Forum Student of the Year 2025

<p>Their success highlights the calibre of creative education, collaboration and professional readiness nurtured within our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> course.</p>

<p>Congratulations to <strong>Amber Timms</strong>, <strong>Daniela Dardano</strong> and <strong>Matthew Essery</strong>, three graduates whose work was selected by an industry panel following visits to graduate exhibitions and in‑person interviews. Out of approximately 30 submissions, they impressed the judges with creativity, clarity and purpose, qualities that define the next generation of design professionals.</p>

<p><strong>Amber Timms</strong> presented two commercially astute brand systems, <em>Perelle</em> and <em>Beskin</em>, tackling cultural messaging around tanning and youth skincare with sensitivity and strong aesthetics. Her approach balanced thoughtful purpose with visual impact, exploring inclusive, authentic brand communication. See more of Amber’s work on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madebyambz/">Instagram</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Daniela Dardano</strong> created a believable mid‑century cinematic world with <em>Blue Sapphire Hotel</em>, a fictional film brought to life through meticulous graphic prop design, shown alongside a joyful, personality‑led identity for an Italian pizza brand, <em>Pomodoro</em>. Her work combines storytelling, craft and research to bring character to life through design. Follow Daniela on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daniela.dardano/">Instagram</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Matthew Essery</strong> explored typography beyond the page in <em>Wiggle</em>, combining physical, spatial and experiential design into an elegant, multi‑platform system that feels ready for publication or installation. Matthew was named one of our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ones-to-watch-2025-graduate-shows-arts-university-plymouth">Ones to Watch for 2025</a> and his work was also featured in Dezeen and selected for Arts University Plymouth’s <strong>Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor’s Award for Artistic Research</strong>. Visit Matthew’s <a href="https://machewdesigns.com/">portfolio</a>.</p> <p>Read the full PDF feature on the finalists on the <a href="https://plymouthdesignforum.co.uk/pdf-student-of-the-year-2025/">Plymouth Design Forum website</a>.</p>

<p>This year’s <strong>Student of the Year Award</strong> saw Plymouth Design Forum undertake its most comprehensive judging process to date. A panel of eight professional designers reviewed the entire graduating body of work from Plymouth universities, before inviting the top five students to an in‑depth interview. The result celebrates individual talent and the creative strength of the city’s design education and industry connections.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The shortlist underlines how <strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong> at Arts University Plymouth prepares confident, adaptable creatives who can communicate ideas with clarity and impact. The course nurtures both conceptual thinking and technical skill across brand design, motion, typography, print and emerging technologies. Students benefit from live industry briefs, national competitions and mentorship that bridge learning with professional practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">With access to over 13,000 m² of studios, workshops and labs, including letterpress, RISO, Fab Lab South West and a multimedia studio, students learn to translate ideas into real‑world outcomes. Many graduates progress into design agencies, branding studios, creative startups and freelance careers across the UK and beyond.<br /></p>

<p>Plymouth is a city where education, ambition and industry collaborate. Through partnerships with <strong>Plymouth Design Forum</strong>, on‑campus galleries such as <strong>MIRROR</strong>, and live projects with local and national clients, students gain the experience and confidence to make their mark in the design industry.</p>

<p>Explore <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design"><strong>BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong></a> at Arts University Plymouth, visit our next <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days">Open Day</a>, and discover how you can turn ideas into impact.</p>