A design graduate facing the prospect of moving to London to follow a career in screen media has landed a dream job in Staffordshire.

Barnaby Goode, 23 of Rickerscote, graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with top marks in Design and Art Direction.

After a period working at a London-based design and communications company, he yearned to find a job with a company of the same calibre closer to his roots in Stafford.

When midlands visual communications company iceni posted an ad for a junior designer, Barnaby was short-listed from more than 60 applicants.

With clients including Welcome Break and First Group, iceni’s production staff have completed projects in exotic locations such as Mauritius and Rio over the past 12 months.

The company has also won two high profile awards this year in recognition of their innovative approach to visual communications.

Having spent six months in a managerial role for an art project with Birmingham’s Age Concern, Barnaby wanted to show his own creative skills.

He said: “My role at Age Concern was a very worthy one, and I believed in the project.

“I organised workshops with artists at day centres and sought funding to ensure the project’s future, but I felt it was more a test of my management skills than my own artistic talent.

“The job at iceni is exactly the kind of role I had hoped for on completing my degree.

“I was impressed by the variety and quality of iceni’s work and the big named companies they were working with. The fact that they are based at a Staffordshire studio is a real bonus.

“There are only a handful of visual communications companies in the region that can say they produce work of the same calibre as London agencies.

“This job will give me the chance to learn new technical skills and develop my knowledge, working for a company at the forefront of this exciting industry.

“I am looking forward to sharing ideas as part of a creative team and I’m glad my skills will be put to good use within the Midlands.”

Gareth Flavell, iceni’s lead designer, said: “Barnaby showed huge potential at interview. We wanted someone flexible, to train in our way of doing things. The fact that he wasn’t stuck in a certain way of designing has worked in our favour.

“He’s been in the post for a couple of weeks now and is really fitting in with the team. I’m confident that he has a very promising future here at iceni.”

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For more information contact Andi Jepson on 01283 792 990 or visit our website UK VIDEO PRODUCTION AND DVD DESIGN - iceni TV