Warton student wins award after finding inspiration in pop music

UCLan illustration student Erin Jones with images from her award-winning design project

A University of Central Lancashire illustration student has found success with a music-inspired end-of-year project.

Erin Jones won the For You Curls (FYC) Award for Technology Innovation at the recent UCLan Degree Show Awards ceremony. It is backed by a range of industry sponsors and held annually to honour the best final year creative student work.

The 21-year-old impressed FYC director Rob Binns with her eye-catching re-design of the French band Phoenix’s 2013 album Bankrupt!

Erin will now work with the company on several design projects, developing its brand image. She will work with TV and radio presenter Dev Griffin and create resources for FYC’s partner charity Barnardo’s to teach young people of mixed heritage in residential care how to manage their curls.

Erin grew up in both Staffordshire and Guernsey before moving to Warton to study at UCLan in 2018.

She said: “I was overwhelmed when my name was announced as it was completely unexpected. I’m really excited to be working on an industry design brief and can’t wait to get started.”

Erin’s award-winning final year university project is a merchandise line to mark the 10-year anniversary of the album. She used her passion for fashion illustration and found inspiration in brands such as Gucci and Casablanca to create a 12-page art book, an album cover, and merchandise such as postcards and stickers.

Announcing Erin as the winner, entrepreneur and FYC director Rob, said: “Erin has worked tirelessly to develop her practise in the most creative way possible using skill, enthusiasm and expertly applied knowledge.

“She has shown the self-assured confidence of a professional illustrator and has produced a sophisticated and extensive body of work.”

Erin also experienced award success when her Haitian inspired rum bottle design won the Beverage Packaging Dieline Award. She has amassed more than 3,000 followers on Instagram and has an Esty account to sell her illustrations.

She said: “I wanted to produce something uplifting as an escape from all things Covid related. The collection of images has a jet setter theme that follows three characters around various locations mentioned in the songs.

“My work buys into a fantasy that uses the band’s French heritage and opulent lyrics to create a stylish line of merchandise that appeals to dedicated fans and art lovers alike.

“My next step will be to complete a master’s degree in fashion promotion at UCLan, and then I’d love to work for a brand agency alongside other freelance work. Winning this award is an amazing end to the third and final year of my course.”

Erin’s work is on display as part of the UCLan 2021 Degree Show exhibition here –https://degreeshow.uclan.ac.uk/

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