BA Graphic Design student in the running for prestigious D&AD yellow pencil

Owain Hemmings, a graduating third-year student, has been shortlisted at the Design & Art Direction's (D&AD) New Blood Awards.

His campaign, 'We're Here for You', uses a series of arabesque patterns which incorporate HSBC's iconic logo for the bank's audience in the Middle East and North Africa. It includes an animated advertisement that showcases the tessellating pattern and positions the logo within the bank's international networks using associated local imagery. The advert was designed to be played on in-flight displays and within airports settings.

Owain is now in the running for a D&AD 'yellow pencil' at the awards ceremony in London's Protein Studios in July where a graduate showcase from more than 40 universities will be exhibited. 

The yellow pencil is a design industry-recognised prize that demonstrates creative excellence and is highly coveted by young designers across advertising, animation, illustration, digital, graphic design and commercial photography. 

Owain said: "I'm very excited about the awards. I worked really, really hard on the project so it feels great to get that recognition.

"HSBC is a big brand so it really appealed to me to design the campaign for them as it feels more legitimate, like I was working within the industry, whilst also allowing myself to explore a more corporate brief for my portfolio."

Alan Oliver, Programme Leader for BA Graphic Design, said: "This is a prestigious award which the graphic design industry views very favourably and will seek to employ all the top graduates from the award list.

"I always say to my students that if you win a yellow pencil from D&AD, that it will open up so many doors and they always do. I've previously tutored winning students from the past that have gone on to do amazing things so I am delighted for Owain to get shortlisted."

Owain's full portfolio is available to view online. 

Watch his advert for HSBC below.