Central Coast beverage company, Eastcoast Beverages, will unveil three new limited edition label designs today, designed by TAFE NSW Newcastle students. A launch event is being held at their facility to celebrate the students’ success in designing labels for the company, one of Australia’s largest family-owned juice brands.

The students participated in the competition to design labels for the popular juice as part of their Graphic Design studies at TAFE NSW Newcastle. The designs will feature on limited edition label on the company’s flagship Orange Juice, one of more than 45 different products produced by the local company.  The competition is their first design-a-label competition for graphic design students.

“At Eastcoast, we thrive on connecting with our local community, and giving students the opportunity to design a label for us was just another way to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity in our region. It’s a privilege to highlight both the skill of these students and the strength of our community ties,” said Eastcoast Beverages Marketing Manager, Emily Beatty.

“TAFE NSW’s willingness to implement this opportunity into their curriculum was fantastic to see. These kinds of local collaborations are what community is all about. We thank all the students for participating and offer our huge congratulations to the three students chosen. Their designs are outstanding, and we’re so excited to see their artwork on shelves in stores. It’s a fantastic achievement, and we can’t wait for our customers to experience their creativity firsthand,” she said.

TAFE NSW Newcastle’s Acting Head Teacher Interior Decoration and Graphic Design, Gregg Carson said “Our students were really excited by this real-world opportunity to design labels for such a well-known and loved brand. The professional brief and thorough feedback their senior leaders gave each student is testament Eastcoast Beverages’ generosity and commitment to the local creative community.”

TAFE NSW Newcastle Diploma of Graphic Design student Abigail Bernays said she is thrilled to see her label design come to life.

“I was so excited to hear that my design was selected, especially seeing everyone else’s different takes on the initial brief.  I was inspired by the beautiful images of the orchards at the Eastcoast Beverages farm and wanted to capture that in an organic design, bringing their family-owned values to life in a handmade aesthetic.

“Throughout my studies at TAFE NSW, we have focussed on building our technical skills and experience in responding to a design brief – but working with Eastcoast Beverages on this project is next level.  It all builds on the industry knowledge and experience we get from our teachers.

“It’s really validating to have my design chosen, and that I am going into a field that I’m good at!  It will give me an extra boost when I start looking for work after I graduate this year,” she said.

Tahnee Sams work was also selected by Eastcoast Beverages, saying “I grew up surfing and visiting this area for surfing competitions. I really wanted to incorporate that beach culture and my love of surfing into the design – so we’ve got an Orange who’s running to the surf.  It’s really true to my illustrative style, and I kept the colours solid and bright so they would pop and be appealing on the shelf.

“Going to TAFE NSW Newcastle has allowed me to explore my passion for illustration and graphic design, I’ve loved it.  I found I thrived in the face-to-face and hands-on style of learning.

“Doing this competition has been both exciting and pushed me to do more, so has given me more confidence in my skills.”

Mr Carson added: “As Australia’s leading education and training provider, TAFE NSW has a crucial role to play in providing students with the practical, industry-relevant skills, and having Eastcoast Beverages approach with this opportunity was really valuable for students.”

Media contact: Melanie Pope, Communications Specialist, melanie.pope@tafensw.edu.au, 0400 074 007