Forepoint Award Bursary recognises new graphic design talent
A local creative agency is paying back the University that helped to shape the careers of many of its staff by establishing a bursary scheme for the next generation of graphic designers.
Forepoint, which is based in Preston and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, recently launched the Forepoint Award Bursary for University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) students and this week awarded three winners: Hamza Malik, Olivia Hayward and Shahzad Ansar.
The students were chosen from a shortlist of 10 portfolios of first year graphic design work, with talent, potential, attendance, attitude, and ability to be a team player also taken into consideration. The each received £1,000 to spend on advancing their design skills and knowledge by buying equipment, software and attending events or exhibitions.
"It truly means a lot to me and I'm incredibly grateful for their support and recognition."
— Award winner Hamza Malik
I want to express my gratitude to Keith and Forepoint for giving me the opportunity to showcase my work and for honouring me with this amazing award” said winner Hamza. “This money will help me immensely with my future studies. It truly means a lot to me and I'm incredibly grateful for their support and recognition.”
Fellow winner Olivia added: “I am loving the course and appreciate this opportunity to have my first year work recognised. This is personally a big confidence boost and will massively help fund my studies."
The students were presented with their awards by Forepoint Director and UCLan alumni, Keith Noble and Senior Designer, Abi Stones.
"We owe a lot to UCLan, where numerous members of Forepoint staff studied, and to the fabulous course that’s nurtured and developed so many who’ve gone on to have successful careers ..."
— Forepoint Director and UCLan alumni Keith Noble
Keith said: “As a business, we’ve always been passionate about giving back to our industry, education, society, the environment, and towards general well-being.
“The Forepoint Award is our higher education bursary scheme for students studying graphic design. It’s our commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of creatives and designers and I want to offer my congratulations to three very deserving winners of our inaugural award.
“We owe a lot to UCLan, where numerous members of Forepoint staff studied, and to the fabulous course that’s nurtured and developed so many who’ve gone on to have successful careers in the creative design, illustration, and tech industries, both in the UK and abroad.”
"UCLan students benefit in many ways from alumni and industry relationships, and we are delighted that these three students have won the inaugural Forepoint award."
— Maggie Wild, UCLan Head of Development and Alumni
Maggie Wild, UCLan Head of Development and Alumni, said: “We are so lucky to have such positive engagement from our alumni community here at UCLan.
“Forepoint and UCLan share a passion for high quality and creative graphic design. This new Forepoint Award is another strand to the connection. UCLan students benefit in many ways from alumni and industry relationships, and we are delighted that these three students have won the inaugural Forepoint award.”
Shahzad, the third recipient of the award, added: “Being recognized for my first-year work has further boosted my confidence in the course. It really motivates me to pursue my passion even more and the bursary will help me buy what i need for the course. Thank you Forepoint and Keith.”
Following the success of the inaugural Forepoint Bursary Award, it is hoped that it will continue next year to give more UCLan graphic design students positive recognition for their hard work and talent.
