A final year Animation and Games Art student from the University of Sunderland has played a key role in producing striking new signage to inspire students and graduates to unlock their entrepreneurial potential.
Zena Turner’s bold design has been revealed for the University’s Centre for Graduate Prospects’ (CfGP) Digital Incubator on St Peter’s Campus.
Ideas for the design were commissioned through Sunderland Creatives Agency, a University initiative which connects student talent with professional projects.
Zena’s concept was turned into reality after being selected and developed by the University’s marketing team. The project has not only enhanced the visibility of the Digital Incubator space but has also offered Zena invaluable experience in client commissions, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice.
Zena, 22, said: “I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to work on a real-world project like this. It really is a surreal feeling to be able to walk past the design and say, “I helped make that.
“This experience has helped me to feel immensely more confident in my work and my creative abilities, and the prospect of freelancing in my own art business no longer feels as daunting as it once did.”
Zena, who is from Manchester, is now urging other students to grab opportunities like this with both hands.
“I remember at the start, seeing the brief and questioning if I really had the ability to do it, but I gave it a try anyway and I’m so glad I did,” Zena said.
“The most important thing I have learnt is that anything is worth trying, just go for it, and if you’re scared, then do it scared.”
The CfGP’s Entrepreneurial Development Manager, Laura Foster, said: “We commissioned the design concepts through Sunderland Creatives Agency as we are passionate about helping students experience work in real-life contexts – in this case working for a client. The brief was to make it clear that the Incubator is a space where students and graduates from any discipline can develop their entrepreneurial skills and explore business ideas.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the new signage which has students at the heart of the design in every way.”
The Digital Incubator is a digitally enabled space for innovation and entrepreneurial development across any degree discipline and forms part of the start-up support offer. From engineering to creative arts, the Incubator is a collaborative environment where students and graduates can explore enterprising ideas and develop entrepreneurial skills.
The Start-Up at Sunderland programme offers innovation workshops, specialist advice, networking opportunities, and essential resources to help turn these ideas into successful ventures.
The University’s start-up support forms part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund’s (UKSPF) Enterprising Sunderland project and the new signage was made possible through this funding. The Enterprising Sunderland consortium is comprised of key partners delivering essential business support across the city of Sunderland.
On the UKSPF Enterprising Sunderland project Laura added: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Enterprising Sunderland consortium. It speaks to our role as a civic university to be working with partners to drive economic growth and innovation in the city.
“Thanks to UKSPF funding, the new Incubator signage will have a lasting legacy, attracting new and future generations of entrepreneurial students and graduates.”
Cllr Kevin Johnston, Portfolio Manager for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “The Enterprising Sunderland programme was set up to inspire people from all backgrounds to set up and grow businesses, and this collaboration between the Digital Incubator and Sunderland Creatives Agency is a great example of how it is doing just that.
“It has not only given a student a great chance to showcase their incredible talent, but also the confidence and belief that they can join the city’s entrepreneurs and achieve anything they set their mind to. The programme is already having such a huge impact, providing a lift to people from all backgrounds and communities and helping them to build the businesses of the future, and we are delighted to support it.”
An event to celebrate Zena’s new signage and success of the Enterprising Sunderland impact took place on Thursday 11 February.
For more information and to find out how you can access start-up support you can:
Drop in: Room 101 Digital Incubator, David Goldman Technology Centre, St Peter’s Campus
Email: startup@sunderland.ac.uk
