Our Level 3 Art & Design students were recently tasked with creating a badge design for Tyntesfield National Trust, with the chosen design being turned into enamel pin badges which will be sold to raise money for the National Trust. 

One of our Level 3 Art & Design applicants, Raheema Taylor, was chosen out of the applicants and after a few minor adjustments, her design was sent off to print. This merchandise will then be sold in order to maintain the National Trust which preserves historic buildings, maintains wildlife and habitats, and funds public countryside trails. 

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to engage with the community and apply their skills and talents to a competition that allowed them to publicise their work and build their portfolio. To have her work acknowledged and associated to such a nationally recognised organisation is a great way to gain traction for her work and will have many benefits to her future career following her course. 

Raheema’s design was simple but impactful, incorporating a signature symbol of nature such as a tree to represent Tyntesfield. Initially, Raheema was shocked her design had won due to the simplistic design, however after being reviewed by the judges, it turned out her design was far stronger than she anticipated and required only minor changes before it was approved for print. 

The Art & Design course at Weston College allows students to explore their creative freedom and discover their individual style in a supportive environment. 

Raheema said, “During my course, I initially found it difficult to push myself to do more things out of my comfort zone as an artist, but I eventually realised that your work doesn’t always have to be perfect. Sometimes it’s just the process behind the creation of your work that is the most important.” 

Ronnie Houselander-Cook, Art & Design lecturer at Weston College, said, “We are so proud of Raheema for this fantastic achievement! To get her work recognised by such a reputable organisation is a great start to her career as an artist and it’s great to see how far she’s come throughout her course so far. It is opportunities from employers and businesses like this that give our students invaluable real-world experience working with clients and builds their confidence in their talent and abilities.” 

Following college, Raheema intends to continue to pursue art as a career, whether this is as a freelance artist or a Graphic Designer at a company, we will continue to support her towards her goals. 

Thank you to the National Trust for giving our students this fantastic opportunity and enriching the future of the art industry.  

This competition forms part of the Art & Design Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Progress to the next level in Art & Design! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

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