An 18-year-old student from Markham has had his logo design chosen to represent a new council initiative to boost youngsters’ education and aspiration levels.
Former Coleg Gwent student Rhys Lowry, 18, outshone competition from professional graphic designers and other students with his winning design. The logo, featuring a black and red target, will be used for the Pre-VENT14-19 scheme.
Rhys, from the village of Markham who studied A-Levels in Graphics, Photography and IT, said: “I found out I’d won the competition just before I got my exam results, and so when I got in to university to study graphics as well I was absolutely over the moon.
“Winning the competition has been fantastic; working to the brief and coming up with design ideas gave me a real taste of what I hope to do as a career. I didn’t expect to win, especially being up against other graphics students and professionals.
“I started with pencil sketches then produced the designs on the computer, before submitting two final designs. I really enjoyed the whole creative process and it’s great to know that my design will be used in a programme which helps young people make positive changes to their lives,”
The budding graphics designer is just weeks away from beginning a course at Glamorgan University hopes to gain as much experience as he can working with the Pre-VENT 14-19 Regional Team on the development of the logo before beginning his degree.
The Pre-VENT14-19 scheme is backed by the Wales European Funding Office through the Welsh Government and is led by Bridgend County Borough Council in collaboration with Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen Councils.
It aims to raise the skills levels, self-confidence and aspirations of 8000 young people aged 14-19 in order to reduce the number classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) or potentially NEET.