Art’s the way to do it as students set up business
Youngsters attract backing from culture bid
A production company set up by Paisley art students is building a reputable name for itself among members of the public and industry professionals.
Talented design students at the town’s West College Scotland (WCS) have received recognition for the rapid success of Minds of Young Students ( MOYA) – a company created and driven entirely by them.
MOYA looks at promoting and selling the artwork, providing a solid foundation for students to put their work into circulation and generate revenue for themselves.
The revolutionary concept, which is supported by the town’s City of Culture Bid 2021, has enjoyed great success, with students already having designed and created pieces for five local businesses.
This outstanding achievement was recently recognised at both the 2017 Student Partnerships in Quality Scotland (SPARQS) Student Engagement awards in Edinburgh and the Get Inspired 2017 – Bridge 2 Business WCS end-of-the-year event.
The SPARQS awards aims to support student engagement in the quality of learning experience.
MOYA was shortlisted for an award in the category A cocurricular initiative/project that has had an impact across the college or university, and won first runner-up against other groups from well-respected universities such as St Andrew’s, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Murron Stoddart, HNC graphic design student and member of MOYA, said they were over the moon to have been recognised.
He said: “I can’t express how honoured we are to have been a part of the SPARQS awards. It really means a lot when our work as students gets rewarded and we are so grateful.”
And the folks at MOYA are rated by locals, winning ‘Best new business enterprise’ at the WCS Get Inspired 2017 Bridge 2 Business event thanks to public vote.
The annual ceremony, held at the Citizen M hotel in Glasgow aims promote and recognise student entrepreneurship across the West Region.
It was also yet another opportunity for the youths at MOYA to promote and market their work at a merchandise stand, presenting a range of their products, such as T-shirts, framed artwork, tote bags and prints to revellers.
WCS design lecturer Deborah Dennett says she is very proud of what her students have achieved.
She said: “We are delighted that our students are designing, producing and selling their products through the MOYA brand.
“It enables them to implement their learning while at the same time grow their entrepreneurship skills and gain invaluable work experience.”