Inky Links – Young Enterprise Group

This year’s Young Enterprise Group has achieved great success at the Young Enterprise awards. Inky Links was set up by four students from the Extended Diploma Art and Design course; Jessica Bowen, Chloe Lloyd, Lauren Neal and Christie Farr. The mission for their company was to produce bespoke printing packs for schools and hold workshops to allow children and adults to be introduced to art and design in an innovative and exciting way. The print blocks could not only be used to explore the formal elements of design but could also be designed to link in with themed curricula projects.

As a team, those involved have learnt many new skills which can be applied to future jobs, and aid in their career progression.  The company has been recognised for their achievements winning Best Corporate Image and Branding and, at the Hereford Final, they were awarded the Creativity in Business Award, Entrepreneurs Award, Best Managing Director and progressed to the Worcester Final. At the Worcester Final Inky Links picked up the ‘Social, Ethical and Environmental Award’ for their product, which targeted encouraging art activities in schools.

This recognition of achievement by external professionals and businesses has shown the real potential of the innovative and exciting product the company is producing. The Managing Director of the team, Jessica Bowen, will be taking on the business after college and will be going out to schools across the country to offer them our bespoke printing packs, so all primary school pupils can take part in a new activity and be introduced into Art and Design in a simple activity with professional outcomes.