Student designers have seen their artwork unveiled at the launch of a major campaign against hate crime.
The work of Lucy Fenwick and Isaac Stoker, students at New College Durham, was selected to represent the new campaign Hate Hurts, led by County Durham and Darlington Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg.
The opportunity to design the creative assets for the campaign was offered to students studying graphic design at New College Durham.
Around 20 students submitted designs which were judged and shortlisted by a focus group for their impact and portrayal of the campaign messages of zero tolerance and encouraging victims to report.
Isaac, 19, of Crook, said: “It was really exciting to be involved in the campaign, probably the most real thing we have done. It’s been a great opportunity to showcase our work to a big audience.”
Lucy, 20, of Consett, added: “It’s been great to be able to show people what we can do. It was really good to be invited to the campaign launch too at Police Headquarters, which made it even more real for us.”
Their tutor, foundation degree programme leader at New College Durham, Danielle Gabriele, said: “It’s been a fantastic opportunity for our students to work on such a big and meaningful project. The level of work has been really professional and I’m so proud of Lucy and Isaac.”
The designs are being seen on posters, flyers and window stickers across County Durham and Darlington, on social media and the campaign website www.hatehurts.co.uk.
Mr Hogg said: “We were blown away by the quality of work the students produced and it was a difficult decision to choose between them. However, we felt Isaac and Lucy had designed an impactful and recognisable brand that set out our messages clearly and simply.
“We hope now that the Hate Hurts campaign will encourage victims and witnesses to report hate crime to give the police a true picture of the level of this horrible crime across County Durham so that it can be tackled and reduced.”
John Widdowson, Principal of New College Durham, added: “I am really pleased that our Graphic Design students were able to work with the County Durham and Darlington Police Commissioner on such an important project. Together, they have produced a very professional campaign which I am sure will help to draw attention to this vital issue.”
For more information on the Hate Hurts campaign, visit www.hatehurts.co.uk