Students are set industry challenge to revamp CBD retailer’s marketing output

Creative students have put themselves in the running for an internship with a design agency after rising to the challenge of a tough industry brief.

Graphic Communication second year students at the University of Northampton were tasked with coming up with marketing material for Goodbody Wellness – a UK retailer specialising in cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-based products.

The group was asked by DCS Digital to produce a unified set of marketing material to educate customers about Goodbody, the hemp plant and CBD.

Students had to produce a simple education guide, a printable infographic, a social media campaign and animated digital signage slides.

They then had to present their concepts to a Dragons’ Den-style panel including Simon Parslow from Target Holdings UK, DCS Digital’s director, Scott Bowler, and graphic designer, Rory Webb.

The winning team will be picked soon, before undergoing a further round of interviews, with an internship with DCS offered to the student or students who impressed the panel the most.

Scott said: “We were hugely impressed with the quality of work produced by the students. It was clear they put an enormous amount of effort in to the project and the results speak for themselves. We’re looking forward to picking a winner and offering an internship to at least one of the students.”

The panel, from left, Simon Parslow from Target Holdings UK, DCS Digital’s director, Scott Bowler, and graphic designer, Rory Webb.

The Goodbody Wellness presentation.

Graphic Communication Programme Leader, Trevor Brown, added: “Working with, and learning from, industry professionals is vital for our students, if they are serious about pursuing a career in Graphic Communication.

“This experience will help the students to refine their presentation skills, build up some confidence in their ability and hone their craft.

“We can’t thank the teams from DCS Digital enough for giving up so much of their time to work with the designers of the future here at the University.”

Pitching concepts to the panel.

Graphic Communication students pitching their ideas.