PrintIT! has hosted its 2012 Awards at Stationers Hall in London, attended by industry figures, print professionals, finalist pupils and schools from across the UK.
This year’s schools competition attracted more than9000students from 250 schools. The awards celebrated the hard work, imagination, design and attention to detail of the thousands of students who took part.
Aleesha Patel from Beauchamp School in Leicester was awarded O\overall winner of the 2011/12 competition and won FujiFilm SLR camera, a Pantone Capsure tool and a two day expenses paid trip to next year’s Hunkeler Innovations event in Switzerland courtesy of Friedheim, as well as a QuarkXPress 9 licence, Pantone essential kit and a Fuji camera for her school.
All ten category finalists were presented with a FujiFilm digital camera and their schools received print-related equipment such as Duplo Fasback binder, Xerox Printer, QuarkXPress 9 licence, Xaar digital microscope, Renz Binder and Pantone essential kits.
As part of the project students were asked to create various designs to suit a print-based campaign promoting Fairtrade products in supermarkets with emphasis on sustainability and environmental issues. Students had to show their understanding of different printing techniques and paper sources that could be used in creating their product.
Ian Aspley, general manager at Proskills commented that: ‘the understanding and ideas put forward by these young people fills me with great enthusiasm of what these students could bring to the industry in the future. It’s great to see that we are developing a new passion for them in print and paper.’
This year TJ International in Padstow, Cornwall was nominated by a school and awarded ‘Best Industry Twinner’ for its exceptional commitment in supporting its twinned school (St Ives School) and providing advice to both teachers and students throughout the competition.
Nigel Hawke from TJ International said: ‘Being nominated for this award proves beyond doubt the value of companies and schools working together to promote awareness of each other’s needs. UK manufacturing as a whole urgently needs more schemes like this and at T.J.International we are proud to be associated with the ground breaking Print-It Scheme-long may it continue!’
Tony Locke, managing director of Duplo and Chairman of PrintIT!, congratulated all of the finalists of PrintIT! 2011/12 and commented on the importance of the nationwide competition for the future of the print industry: ‘The Print industry needs young talent and that’s why I decided to become involved with PrintIT. The Print industry is an old industry but has changed so much over the last few years and we have run an apprentice scheme for over six years proving that youth works!’
Mr Aspley concluded that: ‘PrintIT! and Proskills Schools into Industry Programmes are an amazing initiative that raise the awareness of manufacturing to young students and open their eyes and talents to careers they may never have considered. The PrintIT! awards have been a great success and an inspiration. We have had fantastic support from the industry which without we wouldn’t be able to make the programme work but more importantly we all need to work together to inspire the next generation.’
List of PrintIT! 2011/12 Category Winners:
Overall Winner of PrintIT! 2011/12
Aleesha Patel, Beauchamp School
2011/12 Category Winners:
Best Wall Poster
Daniel Baynham, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic College
Best Packaging
Aleesha Patel, Beauchamp School
Best ‘Free’ Design
Jake Woodgate, Charlie Sloan and Will Ede, Devonport High School for Boys
Best Use of Brand across the Range
Megan Herrick, The Beauchamp School
Best Floor Graphic
Wioletta Strek, St James Catholic School
Best Presentation
Anna Edgell, The Beauchamp School
20011/12 PrintIT Scotland
Best Poster
Jennifer Carmichael, Uddingston Grammer
Best Graph
Katriona Anderson, Milnes High school
Best Table Talker
Laura Yule, Bucksburn Academy
20011/12 Special Awards
Best Twinner
TJ International, Cornwall
Contact: www.printit.org.uk
