UoG graduate featured alongside Banksy and Damien Hirst to share insights at Design Matters event

A University of Gloucestershire Graphic Design graduate whose art work has been featured alongside work by Banksy and Damien Hirst is the main speaker at an upcoming event hosted by the University's School of Creative Arts.

Emma Balebela, who has worked on advertising campaigns for major brands such as Nike and ASOS, designed and donated a poster to a charity show featuring work by Banksy, Damien Hirst, Chris Levine and Shepard Fairey that were sold to raise funds for a UNICEF appeal to support people in Gaza.

Emma (pictured left) will share insights and experiences from a successful career in art and design at the next event in the Design Matters series - Design for Good - led by the School of Creative Arts at the University's Park Campus on 29 November (6pm). Tickets are free to University of Gloucestershire students, while general admission is £5.

The Design Matters platform, which is open to the public, covers important and current topics within design through talks by industry professionals, discussions around the latest news and developments in design, and provides a host of networking opportunities.

Each event in the series features a 'Spotlight Slot' for recent graduates and emerging designers to share their experiences and work, providing a valuable way for the next generation of designers to contribute to the discussions.

Organiser, Cat Mogford, Lecturer in Design at the University, said: "We're absolutely delighted that Emma is returning to the University to share valuable insights and knowledge gained from a career working within the design industry since graduating.

"We're also looking forward to welcoming our other speakers, Ellie Thompson, founder and director of Ave Agency, and Dom Edwards and Lauren Archer from the not-for-profit creative community and mentoring platform The Arena.

"Design Matters is building connections between our students and the professional sector to help launch our graduates into a range of rewarding and sustainable creative careers."

For more information about future Design Matters events, contact Cat Mogford on [email protected]

Main image: The entrance to the Elwes Building at the University's Park Campus