Olympic First Prize for Canterbury College Student

BBC News covered this story on BBC South East Today - view video

On Tuesday 22 September the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) joined celebrations at Canterbury College as an 18 year old Graphic Design student took first place in the National competition to design the education logo for the London 2012 Olympics.

Reiss Evans from Dover, who saw off competition from more than 150 young people aged 16-21 years-old across the UK, said; “I wanted to create a design for everyone and one that was relevant to every school or college joining the Get Set network. I chose a pencil design because students use pencils from a young age at primary schools through to their work at college. He said: ‘The pencils are symbolic of the creativity in the UK’s schools and the range of colours used represents the global nature of the 2012 Games. The colours ensure the logo is eye-catching and they tie in with those used in London 2012’s own brand work.’

The new education logo will be awarded to schools and colleges across the UK which join the Get Set network – part of the official London 2012 education programme – by demonstrating a commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values.  Canterbury College also became one of only 17 schools and colleges in the UK to be awarded the logo so far for their students’ work around the Values.

Dean Macey, Olympian decathlete and Bill Morris, LOCOG’s director of culture, ceremonies and education presented Canterbury College with a plaque and certificate – bearing Reiss’ winning design – in recognition of their involvement in the London 2012 education programme. Dean Macey, who participated in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, said: ‘Reiss and his fellow students at Canterbury College are excellent examples of how London 2012 is helping to spark young people’s imagination and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference.  They have clearly demonstrated that London 2012’s education programme extends far beyond PE and sport and I hope they will motivate other young people to join their journey.’

Bill Morris, LOCOG’s director of culture, ceremonies and sport said: “When London won the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we made a clear promise to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire young people. He said: ‘I am proud to welcome Canterbury College in to the Get Set network today for their exciting work around the Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect and the Paralympic Values of inspiration, courage, determination and equality.’

Graphic Design students from Canterbury College were four of the six finalist places in the competition to create the new design to infill the London 2012 Olympic logo. The Canterbury College student will now see the design for Get Set, London 2012's official education programme, being used by schools and colleges up and down the country as part of the effort to get children excited and inspired by the Games.

Alison Clarke, Principal of Canterbury College said: ‘This is a fantastic achievement by Reiss against gold standard competition from some of the best Graphic Design students in the country. The college is very proud of Reiss and all our students who took part. The fact that four of the six finalists were our students is a credit to them and the Graphic Design department in the College”.

Canterbury College is also one of the first organizations to earn the right to use the new education logo, and become a member of the new Get Set network, schools and colleges. They received the right to use the London 2012 education logo on their headed paper, website and school sign. Members of the Get Set network will also receive access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related opportunities over the next three years. More than 11,000 schools and colleges across the UK are already registered as using the Get Set resources - or taking part in the initiatives promoted through the eight key themes of Get Set.

As part of his prize, Reiss Evans has recently completed part of a two-month internship at FutureBrand, the global branding firm and part of the McCann Worldgroup, where he developed his concept and helped design the plaques and certificates that will be issued to schools which join successfully join the Get Set network.

The winner was officially announced on Tuesday 15th September and the new London 2012 education logo, featuring colourful rows of pencils, was unveiled. It was revealed at Nightingale Primary School in Woolwich, south-east London - the first school to be awarded the logo for joining the Get Set network. Olympic triple jump World Record holder Jonathan Edwards and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell also attended.