Students Impress International Client With Creative Label Designs

Date - 1st Sept 2021

West Notts College design students help rebrand a Cypriot microbrewery with bold new product artwork.

A Real-World Brief With Global Reach

Creative media and games design students at West Nottinghamshire College have once again demonstrated their professional talent — this time by producing new product label designs for a microbrewery in Cyprus.

Four Level 3 students — Nicole Wright, Samuel Long, Levi Lillyman and Sophie Williams — were asked to redesign artwork for Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery, giving the brand a fresh, modern identity that better reflects its vibrant character.

Their designs were displayed as part of a live industry brief set by the brewery and developed through the college’s creative arts department.

Bringing New Life to a Brewery’s Brand

The project began when general manager Kevin Paxton, a college graduate himself, reached out to the creative team for help refreshing the company’s existing labels.

Kevin explained:

“I’d been told about the great design skills of the students at the college, so I set them the project of bringing our old and drab artwork up-to-date.”

He wanted the students’ creativity to help shape a new visual direction for the brewery — one that appealed to younger customers and reflected the craft beer market.

From Concept Sketches to Final Characters

Each student approached the brief in their own style, producing imaginative and unique concepts.

Samuel created a striking bear-type creature, sketching initial ideas before refining them with Kevin to develop a “devil-man” character designed for beer bottles.

“I pretty much gave the students free rein with their designs,” Kevin said, “and I was very impressed with their inspiring ideas.”

Levi Lillyman, 18, focused on mythological themes:

“My idea changed from an original Greek goddess to a darker fairytale creature — but the mysterious element made the design more memorable.”

The brewery was so impressed that Kevin asked the students to redesign the company’s entire brand range, with the aim of relaunching future products using their artwork.

A Professional Experience That Builds Futures

For the students, the project offered meaningful experience with a real client — from pitching ideas and adapting designs to working toward production-ready artwork.

Creative and digital media lecturer Tony Hall said:

“Students should be proud of the work they’ve produced for Kevin. Working for real clients gives them the best experience of how running a design business works.”

Kevin added:

“I would really like them to produce a range of designs for a complete relaunch. I’m so happy with the first four designs they’ve produced.”

The brewery hopes to launch a brand-new beer using the students’ updated artwork later this year.

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