Star Student Balazs Scoops Top Industry Award
Edinburgh College’s success at the Marketing Society Star Awards has continued after a Graphic Design student was named Star Creative Student, making it the sixth time in the last nine years an Edinburgh College student has won the award.
Balazs Hirth is the latest student to receive the accolade, which was announced during an online ceremony recently after impressing judges with his Aye Belong campaign.
Thirty-year-old Balazs beat off stiff competition from other college and university students across Scotland to be crowned the winner, after submitting a written application for the award in response to a real client brief set by Brand Scotland and UnionDirect.
Students were tasked with coming up with a campaign that would encourage international students to come and study in Scotland. As a result of his award success, Balazs will do a paid work placement with UnionDirect marketing agency.
Edinburgh College Graphic Design student Rachel Nisbet was awarded a commendation in special recognition of her work – the first time this has happened in the award competition’s history. Graphic Design students Gonzalo Servilla and Melinda Babai were also shortlisted.
Balazs said: “I have been brought up in a way where my parents told me that hard work pays off. To win this competition is not just an uplifting feeling but it makes me realise that I can stand strong on my two feet as an international student in the UK. I am very proud of the work that I created. It meant a lot to be able to prove to myself that I am good at it what I’m doing and gives me encouragement to continue to develop my skills and be a valuable part of this industry.
Graphic Design lecturer Chris Hughes said: “Balazs and Rachel have worked immensely hard during a very challenging final year, and this recognition is well-deserved. The Graphics course at Edinburgh College has a track-record in producing successes at the Star Awards, and it’s always great for our students to compete with their peers and get the opportunity to showcase their skills and ideas to industry through the Creative Student Award category.”
See a full list of winners on the Marketing Society Awards website.
