With a 185m2 foot showroom at its disposal, Mimaki distributor Hybrid Services took the task of redecorating it to South Cheshire College, where students have been key to providing a new look space.
National sales manager, sign and graphics at Hybrid, John de la Roche, said: “The blank canvas of our showroom came with the added benefit of enabling Hybrid to forge links with the college and provide valuable experience to its graphic design students.” he said.
Second year students were briefed to create designs to transform the Hybrid showroom. Mentoring came from Hybrid’s design and marketing agency, UV Creative. Following an ‘Apprentice’ style pitch environment, the strongest concept was selected and the students were invited into the showroom for two hands-on days, working directly with Hybrid’s sales and technical teams to bring the designs to life. The end result was the production of banners, signage, promotional items, wallpaper and many more products, all exhibiting a common, collective theme that allowed the new No 3 Gateway showroom brand to be born.
Groups of students were able to use the full array of Mimaki technology on the project. Some of the students were even given vehicle wrapping experience – applying their livery to one of Hybrid’s vehicles – ensuring they gained real-world application skills as well as extensive use of the printing and cutting hardware.
“I am really happy that I had the opportunity to work alongside a real client,” says Ben Smith – one of the students involved. “It has definitely made me more focused and it is reflected in the amazing results. I believe it’s the best work I have created throughout the whole two years of the course.”
Laura Sumner – assistant director of The Arts and Media at South Cheshire College, said of the experience. “Hybrid opened up a world of opportunities for our graphic design students as well as allowing them to create bespoke design solutions for the company. They have had the opportunity to design, develop concepts and pitch their ideas in a professional domain. This has distilled a greater confidence within our learners; more then we could ever achieve alone.”
The new showroom was officially opened by the principal and chief executive of South Cheshire College, Jasbir Dhesi on 17 June 2014.