Part of the National Apprenticeship Service

TeamUK Results 2011

5 Gold
2 Silver
6 Bronze

Biography

Stuart Youngs

London
Skill: 
Graphic Design Technology
Employer: 
Purpose

 

Qualifications: 

BA (Hons) Graphic Design (First class)

Memberships : 

D&AD (Design and Art Directors Club)
ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers)
DBA (Design Business Association)

Are you City & Guilds qualified?: 
No
What involvement have you had with competitions?: 

I was a judge and Purpose (my employer) sponsored the 2009/10 WorldSkills UK Graphic Design competition.

Who would you like to thank for their support?: 
  • My fellow business partners for allowing both I and our company to be involved.
  • Epson and the Design Council for their involvement and support.
  • Harry Smith. Knighthood surely beckons.
What made you take on this role?: 

The opportunity to help support and use my experiences to assist the development of young talent for the benefit of our vocation.

Why do you think WorldSkills is important?: 

It champions excellence. For too long, mediocrity has been acceptable. WorldSkills helps further standards and expectations.

What do you enjoy most about your role?: 

Seeing positive change and progress.

How are you using this experience in your workplace?: 

Whilst I’m only in my infancy I can already see how the experience and skills I learn will better equip me to get the very best out of people.

What do you think being part of this process does for young people?: 

It’s quite simply outstanding. Not only to see their skills accelerate at a mind-blowing pace, but also they get to know themselves and their capabilities much better. All this breeds confidence and self belief.

What sets a WS competitor apart from your average young person?: 

Confidence. Experience. Talent.

And all of these can are benchmarked not on a local level, but on a global stage.

What would be your message to industry about entering future competitions?: 

The opportunity that this competition provides participants is remarkable. It can be genuinely life-changing.

What impact will WorldSkills London 2011 have on your industry?: 

This is very dependent on the work done between now and the event. I would hope that we will cement our position as a global leader for both design and creativity.

What are your personal achievements: 
  • Multi-award winning, including: Art-Directors Club, D&AD, DBA Design Effectiveness, Design Week, ISTD, New York Festivals.
  • Frequently lecture at some of the UK’s top universities.
Something we didn’t know about you...: 

I love mowing lawns – it’s all about the stripes.