Student award and placement scheme to help youngsters

There is a long-standing debate in design about declining standards of design education, and speculation as to whether young designers appreciate the value of creative ideas and old-fashioned skills.

Too often, consultancies are quick to condemn, but slow to offer help. We run a placement scheme in association with leading colleges in the South. Students with us work on live projects, whenever possible, or are given an internal brief.

We have now launched a student design award, open to undergraduates and 2006 graduates, with a weekend for two in Paris, plus a two-week work placement, as the prize.

Entrants are invited to design a page for the Paul Martin Design Company 2007 Desk Calendar, based on a theme of travel (the 2006 calendar featured pages by guest designers George Hardie and the late, great Alan Fletcher). Students wishing to enter can find information on www.pmdc.co.uk under ‘other stuff’.

Paul Martin, Creative director, The Paul Martin Design Company, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4JJ