Here at Bluestone360, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the new CHICKS website. Having worked alongside the children’s charity (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) for a number of years, we saw the perfect opportunity to provide them with a digital refresh through the inception of the Bluestone360 Academy.

The academy was created in order to give talented graduates the chance to work on exciting live projects in a fast-paced working environment, ultimately adding a substantial layer to their CV.  After a number of graduates presented their initial design concepts to a panel of judges, which included several CHICKS staff members, Angie Chan was the selected candidate to proceed through the Academy.

Angie worked a three-month placement here in our studio and, with the help of the digital team, pioneered the design and build of the website from scratch. The end product is a fun, informative and accessible website that the CHICKS team are incredibly happy with. This is a true testament to the benefits of running the Bluestone360 Academy and we sincerely hope to see an equal amount of success with the next project we pursue.

CHICKS’ Head of Fundraising Elanor Hoskin said: “Angie has designed a fun, fresh and interactive site for the charity that will help to raise much needed funds. We provide free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK and with the world constantly evolving our website is our public face and it is crucial that it sets the right image and tells our supporters all they need to know. We are incredibly grateful to both Bluestone360 and Angie for all their hard work and dedication.”

You will find their website at http://www.chicks.org.uk/

A new Academy formed by one of the South West’s top creative agencies, Bluestone360, is set to attract the best young design and digital talents in the region.  The Academy will offer a talented student or graduate the opportunity to gain valuable work experience from within Bluestone360’s offices in Royal William Yard, Plymouth.  They will be exposed to the creative and digital arena working on live projects and adding an extra layer to their CV.

There is high interest and buzz surrounding this exciting new innovative venture.  Only one place is available, so the Academy is open purely to the best talent.  Students who are interested will be sent a full, authentic creative brief.  They will then be required to submit their initial creative concepts to the agency for consideration.  The best six will be invited to present their concepts to a panel made up of the agency, client, trustees and media including Alexis Bowater, journalist and former Westcountry news presenter.  The winning student will then join the Bluestone360 Academy for an initial three months with the opportunity for a full time contract if they excel.

Crucially, one of the main projects the candidate will work on from conceptual idea to live venture is the national children’s charity, CHICKS (Country Holiday for Inner City Kids) website.  CHICKS provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children across the UK.  Aiming to give children the chance to be children and create happy memories that they can hold on to when they return to their difficult home life.  This task has a wide scope and will be both challenging and exciting for the candidate.

Gavin Braithwaite -Smith, Blustone360 director commented, “The Bluestone360 Academy will seek to attract and harness the south west’s best young design and digital talents.  Proving that the region can be a creative hotbed and that London alone doesn’t have to be the automatic choice for graduates or those seeking to further their career.  The CHICKS website represents the perfect opportunity to launch the Academy.  A live project, for a national charity, led by one of the region’s most established creative agencies. We are delighted that this Academy will offer one talented young person a fantastic opportunity to advance in this field.”

Alexis Bowater, Academy Panellist added, “It is vital to give people chances at any time of life. For students entering the rapidly changing world of media this is a golden opportunity. The winning candidate will not only have to have innovative ideas, flair and imagination but also to be able to work as a team. CHICKS is a life-affirming organisation which changes lives in a positive and permanent way. Giving young students the chance to take part in a project like this continues that philosophy.  It will bring cutting-edge ideas to the charity’s website enabling them to communicate their important message more effectively to an ever wider audience.”

If you are a student or recent graduate and would like more information on the Bluestone360 Academy, please visit the Academy website at http://www.bluestone360.co.uk/theacademy/ The closing date for entries is 7^th May 2010.