Graphic Design student Izzy Watson has been successful in gaining entry to the prestigious International Society of Typographic Designers. The Graphic Design BA(Hons) second year is one of about 100 designers granted entry to the ISTD every three years – and she joins a list of illustrious members including Wim Crowell, Alan Fletcher, Margaret Calvert (designer of British road signs) and Erik Spiekermann. It is unusual for such a young student to be accepted.

Izzy’s award entry is an exploration of skin presented in an encyclopaedic style around typographical forms. She explained that to achieve the final submitted publication, she “really had to push myself – I don’t think I’ve ever had to work so hard in my life!”. The project, which took a month to produce, saw Izzy working closely with tutor Maria Geals on a typeface. “Maria has typographic experience and this was my first typeface that I’ve designed so it was really useful to have her help.”

Explaining why she loves graphics so much, Izzy says, “Graphic Design can offer so much, it’s really free and there is lots of creativity, though you do have to be very motivated. In the future I’d like to work with typography for a fashion magazine, or for a design studio.”

As the lead tutor, Maria will attend the awards ceremony in London on 7 July with Izzy and receive a certificate herself.

Visit the International Society of Typographical Designers website.

Find out more about BA(Hons) Graphic Design