Our creative digital students have designed their own industry-standard advertising material to promote the school to prospective learners and their parents.

 

The class of six Year 13 diploma students used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator software on the brief set by teachers Kate Blowman and Carrie Goodman, completing the project at home while the school is closed under current UK government guidelines.

They were asked to produce an advertising campaign to promote the school across social media channels, on billboards, at open evenings and other local external advertising platforms.

This included identifying the key messages of the campaign, learning more about advertising, photography, research, planning and understanding the associated technical and creative elements, promoting Ron Dearing UTC in the most positive and eye-catching way possible.

 

Luke Thornton, Managing Director of Influence Media at tech hub C4DI in Hull’s Fruit Market, also ran a workshop, sharing his knowledge on what makes a successful campaign and top tips on how advertising products can differ across various platforms.

Kate, our Art and Creative Digital Teacher, said: “I wanted our students to have a shot at promoting Ron Dearing UTC in their own way, as they are among those best-placed to do so based on their experience.

“They took their own images, created pre-production and visualisation documents, and pitched their ideas. The end products are amazing and this project stands them in good stead for working in the creative digital sector.

“The fact they were able to finish their work to such a high standard at home during lockdown is amazing.”

Luke, who also ran a photography masterclass with a group of our Year 12 students last year, said he thoroughly enjoyed helping on the project.

He said: “The students were really enthusiastic, open to ideas and keen to bring everything we discussed to life. We went through real life examples I’ve produced for clients and they came up with their own.

“During my presentation, they were able to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding, and it was a really positive project. They have a great knowledge base to help them in the future.”

The team behind a drive to create face shields for at-risk key workers is calling on the local education community to unite in the fight against coronavirus.

Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing UTC, is working with the University of Hull’s Aura Innovation Centre in Hessle to design and 3D print the protective equipment and is calling on other schools and colleges with 3D printers in Hull and the East Riding to support their goal.

 

Glenn Jensen, Head of Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, the University and Aura are urging them to either produce the prototypes themselves using a pre-prepared file, or loan their digital printers to Aura where a 3D printing hub can be created and staffed.

Glenn said hundreds of face shields could be produced every day with an increased number of 3D printers and the right supply of materials, and initial prototypes have already been requested by local pharmacy teams and other key workers anxious for protection against COVID-19.

He said: “Due to the current situation, lots of schools and colleges are closed and students and staff are working from home. Some of them have 3D printers which could be working 24/7 to produce these face shields for key workers who are desperate for them.

“It’s important to stress the shields have not been tested to meet any medical PPE standards, but they can be disinfected and used again.

“We want the educational 3D printing community in Hull and the East Riding to work collaboratively on this. If schools are shut over the half term, we can come and collect the printers, or they can be dropped off at Aura, where they also benefit from clean energy generation to power the printers.

“This is an opportunity to really make a difference and support and protect key workers locally and potentially nationally.”

The team is currently assessing how to source more materials to continue their drive, as well as looking at costings and another potential design which does not involve 3D printing.

 

Dr David Richards, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Hull, said: “The unprecedented events we have seen in recent weeks with coronavirus have seen businesses and communities rally together in support of key workers.

“It is great to be working as part of a partnership which includes the Aura Innovation Centre, the University’s Department of Engineering, its Business School and Ron Dearing UTC to 3D print vital supplies which will ultimately save lives.

“In theory, if you have a 3D printer at home or in your business, you can join the national effort and support the NHS and health care organisations at this important time. We at the University want to build on this collaboration and keep the momentum going.

“If you are in a position to help, please do get in touch.”

 

Innovation from the University of Hull’s Department of Engineering will also be shared with a consortium of organisations in Manchester, to allow them to produce faceguards for the NHS and other healthcare providers in their region.

Hull University Business School is also establishing a network to co-ordinate all companies, schools and colleges across the region with 3D printing capability to get involved in this initiative.

• Anyone who has a 3D printer and would like to get involved, or loan their equipment to the team, is asked to email aura@hull.ac.uk