A graphic novel based on a 1920 science fiction play and a creative platform encouraging students to collaborate feature in Dezeen's latest school show by students at the University for the Creative Arts.

Also included is a botanical magazine that explores the popularity of the houseplant industry and an app designed to highlight fake news stories.

University for the Creative Arts

School: University for the Creative Arts
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design

School statement:

"Visual storytelling shapes the way we respond to information. This year's graphic design and communication graduates from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) have created brilliant and thought-provoking projects, from editorial design and branding to motion graphics, book arts, and visual narratives through various mediums and platforms.

"Adopting a hands-on approach to conveying messages and meanings, these graduates have carved out their styles. Explore their works below and on UCA's 2021 Online Graduate Showcase and discover their unique voices as they emerge ready to take the graphic design world by storm."

Roisin Knappert

"From the anti-authoritarian battle in Hong Kong, the global success of Extinction Rebellion demonstrations, to the Black Lives Matter movement, we have seen unprecedented levels of political dissent on the international stage, and we have seen it unfold through our screens.

"My Book 'Dangerous Symbols' communicates this cultural phenomenon and encourages young people to be politically engaged through the socio-political value of symbols.

"As a designer and social communicator, I have created stencils in the book which my reader can use to engage in protest creatively. Given the tools to create, these symbols can go on to unify movements and broadcast their messages effectively."

Student: Roisin Knappert
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design: Visual Communications, UCA
Instagram: ricky_knappert_

Josh Wijsveld

"In these challenging and often uninspiring times, I have created the X Collab, a unique platform bringing together creatives from universities throughout the nation to provide exposure, networking and a means of making artwork in an alternative manner.

"It is designed by creatives for creatives to be a catalyst for multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations. Our first digital showcase was 01/Blue – named because of the colour's connection with inspiration, creativity and hope.

"We understand how much of a challenge it has been to create throughout the pandemic so this platform gives an outlet to the multitude of creative students out there."

Student: Josh Wijsveld
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design: Visual Communications, UCA
Instagram: jwijsveld

Grace Anderson

"The Descendants is a graphic novel based on future predictions of our world and inspired by the 1920 science fiction play R.U.R  written by the Czech writer Karel Čapek, in which robots turn on their creators after being given human emotions.

"With my mechanical and creative mindset, I refused to reduce these machines to a word – robot – that in Slavonic means servitude or drudgery.

"A machine can have ten times the intelligence of a human and if given emotions they might not act as selfishly as we humans do and succumb to a macabre fate. It is this contradiction I've based my story on."

Student: Grace Anderson
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design, UCA
Instagram: gmmart_

Aryana Deen

"My final project is inspired by my heritage and looks at the tale of 'Mirza and Sahiban', one of the four popular tragic romances of Punjab.

"By fragmenting the original story, I created my version of it using the Image Two Platform, combining digital drawing and collage. I have always had a passion for image-making and various illustrative techniques. The image platform allowed me to create more experimental pieces of work for this project."

Student: Aryana Deen
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design, UCA
Instagram: ad_gdesign_

Caitlin Carter

"For my final major project, I created a magazine called Botanical to explore the popularity of the houseplant industry.

"Tailoring it for a generation of houseplant lovers and those interested in supporting the independent magazine industry, my magazine is an upmarket, minimal and clean publication displaying gorgeous imagery as well as information as to how best look after houseplants.

"The first issue is themed as the 'beginner plants' issue and comes with a collectible set of care cards that give a condensed version of how to care for each plant, and come adorned with painted illustrations of each one."

Student: Caitlin Carter
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, UCA 

Emma Colyer

"Fake news has been a topical issue that has garnered a lot of press attention in the last five years. News can be overwhelming, especially for younger generations, which can make it less engaging.

"With this in mind, I designed the Reaction Spot app. An app where young adults can react and engage with news stories and other viewpoints using icons to relate to different types of fake news.

"I also designed 'Real Reaction', a limited print newspaper to go alongside the app. It runs stories around the topic of fake news and is heavily image-based with augmented reality interactions."

Student: Emma Colyer
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Design: Visual Communications, UCA

Joe Wilsden

"Wilsden's final project saw the creation of an entire brand identity for Vert, a sustainable graphic t-shirt clothing company. At the heart of the brand is a passion for ethical fashion production.

"The graphic t-shirt designs feature satirical slogans highlighting ecological issues. The project explores the story and identity of the Vert brand, its visual aesthetic and assets, products, packaging and marketing collateral."

Student: Joe Wilsden
Course: BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, UCA

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and University for the Creative Arts. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.