Three University of Gloucestershire students have been selected to represent the South West in a national competition.

The competition showcases the next generation of talent in the graphic design and creative advertising industries.

Second year students Scott Clarke (graphic design), Freya Rowley (creative advertising) and Tim Hutchings (graphic design) have won through to the final of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA) Awards 2023 in London, having out-performed every other South West university team.

Scott, Freya and Tim impressed an experienced judging panel, which included the head of the DMA, Andrew Buffey, and Barclays UK's head of digital servicing (small business), Dan Reed, with their solution to a real-world brief around ways to support young people to manage their spending habits.

In the university's creative design studios, Scott, Freya and Tim pitched a concept where they would encourage gamers to stop using buy-now-pay-later methods and use credit card instead, by adapting the language that banks use to engage with the consumer.

In the final, on December 5, they will pitch their concept to the team at the Barclays creative team's headquarters in London, for a chance to win a Gold, Silver or Bronze DMA Breakthrough Award.

Scott, Freya and Tim will have an opportunity to attend the DMA networking and award event later that evening, where guests are expected to include representatives from a number of major advertising and design agencies.

Claudia Brewster, academic course leader for graphic design, said: "The DMA Awards are among the highlights of the year for the graphic design and creative advertising industries, so we're extremely proud of Scott, Freya and Tim's achievement in reaching the final.

"The judges were extremely impressed with how they responded to an industry-led brief around supporting young people in managing their spending habits that could have impact in the real world.

"We're confident that Scott, Freya and Tim will be fantastic ambassadors for the talent within the university and the South West on December 5, when they will have a great opportunity to showcase their creative talents and network with major employers from within the industry."