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Graphic Design students at the ���Ҵ�ý (UWTSD) are celebrating the successful launch of a new social campaign for Elsie & Marj, a lifestyle and gifting brand inspired by family heritage and meaningful storytelling.

The collaboration formed part of UWTSD’s paid internship programme, which connects talented students with real-world creative briefs from live clients. The project saw 20 students from across all year groups on the BA Graphic Design course take on a professional challenge set by Claire Gaffey, founder of Elsie & Marj, to shape the brand’s identity and visual language.

Claire’s brief was as heartfelt as it was demanding: to develop a brand rooted in timeless elegance and the legacy of her grandmothers, Elsie and Marj. Students were asked to conduct in-depth competitor analysis, craft brand strategies, and design a cohesive identity that captured the essence of the brand’s values.

After a round of concept presentations, Claire shortlisted eight finalists for interviews and selected Svitlana Ulianych, a second-year student, whose work best reflected the heart of the brand.

“Svitlana demonstrated a real understanding of the brand’s deeper purpose and translated that into a beautiful, meaningful visual identity,” said Claire. “Working with UWTSD has been an incredibly positive experience. The students showed passion and professionalism throughout, it was inspiring to see how they approached the brief with such creative insight.”

Donna Williams, Programme Manager for BA Graphic Design, praised the collaboration for its authenticity and impact:

“Claire has been an exceptional client. Her thoughtful and well-articulated brief truly challenged and inspired our students. We’re incredibly proud of the outcome and thrilled to see the Elsie & Marj brand go live with a compelling social campaign. Beyond the visual identity, this was a career-shaping experience for our students.”

The success of the project was further supported by the University’s internship and enterprise team, whose behind-the-scenes work connects students with meaningful employment and portfolio-building experiences.

“A special thanks to Amanda Hayden, Senior Project Manager, whose commitment to creating real industry pathways continues to benefit our students in remarkable ways,” added Donna.

Reflecting on the experience, Svitlana Ulianych said: “It’s been a real pleasure getting to know Claire and working on her beautiful brand. We developed a strong connection when it came to understanding the concept and vision behind Elsie & Marj. Claire is a thoughtful and inspiring client, and I’m truly grateful to UWTSD for creating opportunities like this, where students can engage with real-world projects in a meaningful way.”

Caroline Thraves, Academic Director Art & Media at UWTSD, said: “Industry collaboration is at the heart of our approach to creative education. Projects like this not only give students the chance to apply their skills in real-world contexts, but also build their confidence, networks, and professional readiness. The collaboration with Elsie & Marj is a perfect example of how meaningful partnerships can empower emerging designers to create work that is both commercially relevant and personally resonant.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071