Epson's Rob Weissenberger with Keely Russell 

Japanese inspired décor for global brand’s Demonstration Centre at its UK HQ in Hemel Hempstead

CMYUK, Shrewsbury: CMYUK’s Creative in Residence Live (CIRL) graduates have been chosen to refresh the interior décor for Epson’s demonstration facility at its UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead.

Epson – one of the headline sponsors of CMYUK’s CIRL initiative – briefed graduate designers Keely Russell, Evie Venables, and Sarah Willcocks to design wallcoverings, T shirts and baseball caps for demonstrators and customers.

Each of the graduates produced several designs for digital wallcoverings, T shirts and baseball caps following a brief that requested a Japanese theme, reflecting Epson’s corporate roots.

Polly Chapman, Epson Channel Marketing Manager said, “Having seen the high-quality designs that the graduates had been producing, we were confident that they would deliver a variety of designs to choose from, that would also demonstrate the Epson print capabilities. They exceeded our expectations, and it was very difficult to choose a winner.”

After careful consideration, Epson chose Keely Russell’s wallcovering design depicting an aquatic scene, featuring pictorial elements with tonal surface effects. Artwork was created using painterly drawing skills and then digitised. Following which, the design was recoloured, customised and printed on Epson printer technology.

In addition, garment designs from all three graduates were selected to be made into demonstrator workwear and customer merchandise.

On learning that her designs had been picked for the Epson’s HQ Demonstration Centre, Keely Russell said: “It was such a surprise to learn that my design was picked and I can’t wait to see it installed.”
“The Epson Design brief presented a live commercial opportunity for the graduates. Working with industry professionals on a short timeline presented some creative challenges all of which the graduates have overcome,” said Debbie McKeegan, CMYUK’s official partner and education lead for the CIRL project.

Robin East Group Commercial Director at CMYUK said, “Epson has been a very enthusiastic and hands-on sponsor during the CIRL initiative and we have been very grateful for their contribution. Offering our three graduates the chance to respond to such a high-profile brief demonstrates the depth of their commitment to the CMYUK Creatives in Residence Live project. All CIRL graduates have contributed design assets to Epson’s demonstration facility, being able to add this experience to their CV and portfolios is very valuable indeed.”