Thomas Adey, Graphic Design BA (Hons)

After securing support from The Vaughan Oliver Graphic Design Scholarship, aimed at helping talented Graphic Design students in the North East of England, Thomas Adey’s tutors have seen him completely re-evaluate his ambitions and grow in confidence.

For his final major project, Thomas focused on the inequalities of the food system, with a design solution that aims to disrupt and create change. His project has designed something to counteract the convenience of fast food.

Thomas said: “I based my designs on the acceptance that people have intentions to be healthy but they also need convenience and something that is cost-effective.”

The project is called ‘Deatour’ and is based on a network of food trucks that travel into neighbourhoods and sell healthy fast food to people. The design work includes a website with menus and locations of the trucks.

“I had to consider how the identity could be memorable and create cohesion across different mediums. I did work to build the tone, I wanted it to be quite bold and playful,” Thomas explained.

“I’ve enjoyed the course because it’s not like traditional subjects. You get a brief to work from every few weeks and have two crit sessions per week. Often development is done in these sessions which is good because you can realise where things are going wrong – it’s invaluable to have that feedback.”

Thomas has also benefitted from a lot of contact with professionals already working in the graphic design industry with regular speakers and ‘live’ project briefs helping to prepare students for the world of work.

On preparations for this year’s graduate degree shows, Thomas said: “I’ve really enjoyed it and developed so many transferable skills. You can feel the passion of course leaders and that’s exciting for all of us. I’m thrilled that my work will be displayed amongst my peers through REVEAL.”

Thomas is now looking to start working in the region, with a particular focus on regenerative design.

Vic Newton, Lecturer at Northumbria School of Design, said: “Thomas has been an absolute pleasure to work with in this final year. It has been wonderful to see his confidence in his own abilities growing and producing incredibly strong design thinking. I wish him well in his future career.”

Discover more here about the ten year initiative to support students through the Vaughan Oliver Graphic Design Scholarship in memory of the visionary graphic designer from County Durham.

Further information about the Graphic Design BA (Hons) at Northumbria School of Design is available here.