Case studies: Designing for a Global Audience: Graphic & Media Design x Hay Festival

Name: Hereford College of Arts
Price range: $

For more than fourteen years, Graphic & Media Design students at Hereford College of Arts have worked with Hay Festival Global, responding to live creative briefs for one of the world's most recognised literary and cultural festivals.

Each year, students create motion graphics and animations viewed by global audiences beyond the College, responding to live creative briefs for an internationally recognised cultural organisation. Student outputs communicate sustainability, environmental, and public engagement messages. Working to professional deadlines and within Hay Festival's brand guidelines, students experience the realities of commercial design practice while developing advanced technical skills in motion graphics.

The project is a defining part of the second year of the course. Students learn to interpret client briefs, respond to professional feedback, manage technical specifications and create broadcast-quality work using Adobe After Effects. Alongside technical expertise, they develop confidence, resilience, and an understanding of how design communicates with audiences beyond themselves.

Many students see their work showcased through Hay Festival's digital platforms and festival spaces, while the project frequently becomes a standout portfolio piece supporting progression into careers in graphic design, motion graphics and broadcast production. For HCA, the partnership demonstrates the value of sustained industry collaboration.

Combining a long-standing relationship with Hay Festival and teaching from BAFTA-winning motion graphics specialist Scott Wallace, the project gives students authentic professional experience while contributing to one of the UK's leading international cultural events.

Design isn't always about you. Most often, it isn't.
Innes Jones

The Hay Festival project is often a turning point in a student's creative journey.
Innes Jones

Students learn to think like professional designers, responding to audiences rather than themselves.
Innes Jones

Meeting a deadline means something - if the work isn't delivered, it doesn't get used.
Innes Jones

This project accelerates students' motion graphics skills more than almost any other project on the course.
Innes Jones

Students gain confidence by seeing their work used in a real-world context.
Innes Jones

Working within brand guidelines teaches students the realities of professional design practice.
Innes Jones

Hay Festival provides an authentic client experience while allowing students real creative freedom.
Innes Jones

Students don't just study design - they contribute to communications for an internationally recognised cultural organisation.
Innes Jones

Quick Details

Industry Partner	Hay Festival Global
Course	BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design
Industry Engagement Type	Live Industry Brief
Partnership Length	14+ years
Project Type	Live industry motion graphics briefs

Industry Partner	Course	Industry Engagement Type	Partnership Length	Project Type
Hay Festival Global	BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design	Live Industry Brief	14+ years	Live industry motion graphics briefs

Project Themes

Sustainability
Climate change
Public engagement
Environmental communication

Students Develop

Motion graphics and animation
Adobe After Effects
Creative storytelling
Client communication
Brand guideline application
Broadcast-ready production
Professional workflows
Deadline management
Portfolio development

Professional Context

International cultural organisation
Live client briefs
Public-facing creative outputs
BAFTA-winning industry expertise
Genuine industry deadlines
Long-term strategic partnership

Also in this section

Case studies

CMYK Industry Engagement Case Study Pack

Sidney Nolan Trust Industry Engagement Case Study Pack

Straight 8 Industry Engagement

From Hereford to Cannes, through Straight 8, HCA creates extraordinary opportunities that prepare students for careers in the creative industries.

Building Theatre Careers Through Industry Experience: Performing Arts x Birmingham Rep

Students on HCA's Performing Arts course benefit from a long-standing partnership with Birmingham Rep, one of the UK's leading producing theatres.

Forging Community: Artist Blacksmithing x Cart Shed

For Artist Blacksmithing students at Hereford College of Arts, working with Cart Shed goes beyond learning technical craft skills. It’s an opportunity to discover how creative practice can support wellbeing, build confidence, and make a positive difference within the community.