ART and design students from Abingdon and Witney College have impressed judges of the West Oxfordshire Business Awards in a head-to-head creative pitch.

They followed a brief to design a trophy for the Aston & James West Oxfordshire Business of the Year Award 2020 in WOBA’s 10th anniversary year.

The winning team included Mollie Bridgwater, Bry Cockburn, 17, and Marty Baker, 16, who presented a trophy design inspired by nature that could be viewed as a tree or abstract person, as well as symbolising the growing West Oxfordshire business community.

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Mr Baker said: “This has been such a good experience. A lot of thought went into our design and I can’t believe we will see our ideas brought to life.

It is a fantastic achievement and we feel overwhelmed to have won.”

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The WOBA project was completed by 32 students studying for a Diploma in Art, Design and Creative Arts (Level 2 & 3) at the Witney campus.

The winning trophy design will be made by Witney charity Synolos, which will also provide the students with work experience. The awards are in March.

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Leah Wells, Course Leader, Art & Design at Abingdon & Witney College, said: “I’m so proud of every single one of them. They have fully embraced the WOBA project to produce incredible designs and so soon after joining college.

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"Live briefs such as this provide students with a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively, giving them a taste of what life is like working in the creative industries.”

WOBA’s 10th anniversary year sees a new sponsor, Aston & James, support the West Oxfordshire Business of the Year Award.

Managing Director Darren Aston said: "A great amount of effort was made by all students and I’ve been extremely impressed by all of their ideas.

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"However, the winning design really stood out. It could mean different things to different people and I like that the 10 rings represent organic growth as well as WOBA’s 10th anniversary year.

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"All business people have a wish to build something they are proud of and the students involved in creating this design should feel just that.”

Entries for WOBA 2020 are now open and it is free to enter. Entries close at midnight, Monday, December 2.

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Finalists will be revealed in February with WOBA 2020 winners announced at a 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner in March 2020.

Download and submit your entry form at woba.org.uk.