Michon Creative’s university talent search offers real life agency experience

ONE of Britain’s leading branding agencies Michon Creative is on a mission to discover the design stars of tomorrow.

The Nottinghamshire firm is giving gifted graphic designers studying at Nottingham Trent University the chance to win a month-long placement with them.

Second-year graphic design students will select from a choice of realistic creative ‘live briefs’ set by several agencies including Michon, designed to test their marketing and creative skills.

Those that select Michon’s brief and make it to the ‘final pitch’ will present their ideas to the executive team at Michon with the winner offered the work experience at their Radcliffe-on-Trent headquarters.

The independently owned full service creative agency provides marketing and creative services that help businesses achieve their commercial goals and counts Ronseal, BT and E.ON among its clients.

The placement is part of Michon’s drive to upskill young creatives after their recent ‘Designing the Future’ report identified a gulf between what undergraduates learn at university and what they need to thrive in the real world of work.

Beth Michon, Account Marketing Manager, said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for those young creatives with drive and ability to immerse themselves, build connections and gain first-hand experience in a fast-paced commercial agency that’s at the forefront of branding.

“We’re seeking out the most creative and enthusiastic undergraduates to complement our outstanding team as we look to take Michon to the next level.

“This is the second year Michon has been involved and we’re always astounded by the talent we encounter on our mission to discover the design stars of the future.”

A team from Michon will then work one-to-one with their students to fine-tune their branding, packaging, illustration and promotional ideas before the winner is chosen after the final pitch.

The winner will then spend a month working alongside Michon’s branding, design and creative experts in the studio and on live projects.

Last year’s winner Jay Culley, 22, said: “My placement at Michon couldn’t have been better – I learned a lot about working in a studio environment, what’s expected and the dynamics of an agency. I got involved in brainstorming, idea generation and meeting clients.

“I’ll be forever grateful to Michon because I was also given the time to learn how to use Cinema 4D, and that’s what I want to go into now.

“I feel much more confident applying for jobs which is what I’m doing right now. My portfolio would not be as up to scratch without my time at Michon.”

About Michon: An independent full service creative agency based in Nottinghamshire. They provide marketing and creative services that help businesses achieve their commercial goals.  Michon’s talented and multi-skilled team develops intelligent, well thought out customer experiences both on and offline, from one-off projects to integrated national campaigns. Michon work in partnership with clients, often as part of their in-house brand, marketing and communication teams, so they’re as commercial as they are creative. That’s why clients such as Ronseal, BT, E.ON and Hanson have been working with Michon for many years.

Established in 1982 by brothers Jeff and Tony Michon, the agency operates from an award-winning purpose-designed office in Radcliffe On Trent.

The Michon team has a passion for supporting their local community and creating opportunities for young people too, they heavily invested time, energy and money to help causes like Young Creative Awards and Kenyan Education Service.