A local community partnership project has seen sixth form art and design students from Barnsley College design contemporary doors, including the glass panels, for Distinction Doors’ contemporary range.
The project, planned over several months, was developed as a unit titled ‘Distinction Doors Live Brief’ and addressed 2D problem-solving skills within art and design, as well as students’ ‘employability skills’.
A theme of ‘let the outside in’ was chosen, with specific instruction on designing for a target audience. The project has become a course module approved by the college’s exam awarding body, the University of the Arts London.
Chantel Roach, marketing director at Distinction Doors, said: “We were delighted to be able to support local students’ education and give them the opportunity to work in a commercial environment. We were even more delighted with the quality of the designs we saw which suggests that there are several incredibly talented artists set to take the design world by storm in years to come.”
The unit also required students to take part in a competitive pitch process. Students presented their designs to Chantel and commercial director, David Gomersall, as well as their peer group and five students were ‘highly commended’ for their work, receiving a certificate of recognition for their efforts.
Chantel said: “Feedback from the students was that the project was incredibly valuable because it gave them important experience of presenting their work in a competitive environment, in a way they will need to when they are employed. It also gave them useful experience to add to their CVs and university applications.”
As a result of the project’s success, Distinction Doors is working with the college to offer the students work placements later in the year.
