Two BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design students from Deeside College have this week seen their mascot come to life. Wayne Sharpe and Gareth Penney entered and won a design competition to create a mascot for the Y Factor Mobile Bus that has been launched in Flintshire.
The Y Factor bus is an idea borne out of consultation activities with local young people who participated in the ‘View from the streets of Flintshire’ youth conference in 2006. The bus aims to encourage more young people to engage in volunteering activities, community projects and also hopes to cut crime.
In order to make the bus appealing to young people in Flintshire, young artists from across the county were asked to create mascots to adorn the bus and literature relating to it. After much deliberation, Wayne and Gareth’s mascot was chosen.
At the launch event at Hawarden High School, which was attended by those involved in the project and dignitaries including Lord Barry and Lady Janet Jones, Mark Tami MP for Alyn and Deeside and Carl Sargeant AM for Alyn and Deeside, the bus along with Wayne and Gareth’s design was revealed.
Speaking after the event, Wayne said: “It was great to see our design blown up and on a bus that will be touring Flintshire and will benefit so many communities.”
Deeside College Head of Faculty for 14-19 provision, Chris Thomas, added: “We encouraged our students to take part in exciting design competitions such as this one. Getting involved is enjoyable and strengthens CVs.”
