New Blood: supporting South Essex College at the D&AD Awards

Earlier this year, Solopress welcomed Graphic Design students from South Essex College for a behind-the-scenes look at how design becomes print, which we covered in a previous blog post. The visit offered insight into our production workflows and sparked conversations about how printed materials could help students showcase their work more effectively. 

As those initial discussions unfolded, a number of practical ideas emerged. While some centred on Business Cards for networking, it became clear that display signage and takeaway print could also play a meaningful role when the students exhibited as part of the D&AD New Blood Awards. Working in collaboration with Course Leader Steve Page, we developed a print package tailored to support the 2025 cohort’s appearance at the awards exhibition to help them present their work professionally and to help them network with potential employers and collaborators.

Recognising design talent

The D&AD Awards — named after their founding body, Design and Art Direction — are among the most prestigious honours in the global design and advertising industry. Established in 1962, the awards celebrate creative excellence across a wide range of disciplines including branding, illustration, digital design, copywriting and packaging.

Within the programme, the New Blood category is dedicated to emerging talent: students, graduates and aspiring creatives taking their first steps into the industry. As well as offering exposure to leading agencies and studios, New Blood provides a platform for showcasing ideas that are bold, original and full of potential.

Staying fresh with Foamex signage 

For the main exhibition stand at D&AD New Blood, each student was allocated two A1 boards to display key visuals from their final projects. Rather than print these in-house on inkjet paper, which in past years has led to issues with heat and curling, we produced them on 5mm Foamex Signage Boards. Lightweight, durable and easy to hang level, Foamex proved to be an ideal choice for the indoor setting and helped elevate the overall presentation of the stand.

As Steve Page put it, “The work really benefits from good production. The boards are just hanging beautifully. There’s no curling, they’re really easy to level and make look good.”

Postcard as samplers

In addition to the large-format signage, we also printed individual Postcards for each exhibiting student. These compact takeaways served multiple purposes: a souvenir of the show, a prompt to remember a favourite piece of work, and a direct way to stay in touch with the designer behind it.

Each card featured a selected image and contact details, allowing potential collaborators, employers or admirers to follow up. When given out at portfolio events like New Blood, these cards offer a physical point of connection in a sea of digital portfolios.

A folder that brings it all together

To house the full postcard set, we worked with Steve to produce a custom-designed Folder that would unify the group’s identity and make the takeaway pack feel complete.

Laminated for durability and featuring branded artwork, the folder featured a front cover that opened to reveal the postcards packed neatly inside. Internal flaps held the contents securely in place, while a single adhesive dot kept the entire folder together.

The result was not just a practical holder but a thoughtful piece of print design in its own right. It gave the show materials a curated, professional edge while making it easy for visitors to collect and carry away the students’ work.

Steve was pleased with the results: “This has actually turned out to be really nice. Beautifully laminated, a pack with all our cards inside. Solopress have been fantastic, really supporting the students.”

On the ground at D&AD New Blood

Senior Designer Matt Bruty and Head of Marketing Jane Wickens attended the preview of the show on 30 June, held in London as part of the D&AD New Blood Awards, one of the most respected showcases for up-and-coming talent in the world of design and advertising.

“The standard of work was seriously impressive,” said Matt. “There was a real range of ideas, but what stood out most was the energy and attention to detail. It’s clear that these students aren’t just learning craft skills, they’re thinking deeply about how to communicate and connect.”

Steve Page agreed. “This show is always a high standard, but it’s a really good year. There are some big universities here and the venue has really come into its own. The students worked hard, and it shows.”

Beyond the show

Following its appearance at the graduate exhibition, the printed pack will also feature at the D&AD Awards themselves, a wider celebration of excellence in design and advertising. Within that, the New Blood category highlights emerging creatives who are just beginning their careers, offering exposure to agencies, recruiters and industry insiders.

The postcards and folder will act as calling cards for the South Essex College graduates as they begin to make their mark in the world of design. Whether these connections result in job offers, collaborations or simply conversations, we’re proud to have played a small role in helping these designers step into the spotlight.

Looking ahead

We wish this year’s graduates every success, both at the D&AD Awards and in their future careers. It’s been a privilege to contribute to their journey and to support South Essex College in their efforts to prepare students for the demands and opportunities of the creative industries.

We’re already looking forward to working with next year’s cohort and seeing what new ideas, formats and talent emerge. If you’re feeling inspired to bring your own creative project to life, explore our full range of Signage Boards, Postcards and Folders to get started.