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.

Bluestone360 have a new office space in the stunning Mills Bakery in Royal William Yard Plymouth.

“We truly feel this is a world-class office space” commented Steve Kyffin, director at Bluestone360.

“Urban Splash has created something very special within the historical context of the collection of buildings that make up the Royal William Yard – not just the Mills Bakery. The architectural interpretation and vision just blew us away!”

Bluestone360 moved at the end of August 09 after months of organising and planning as it was essential to have minimum downtime for their clients. It was a challenge for all concerned as the first new tenants, especially with new systems and infrastructures to create and bed in. The hard work has paid off as it has already proven to be beneficial for all concerned.

Chris Nicholls, Creative Director at Bluestone360, comments “We feel energised by the new space – it has real soul as well as looking great. The surrounding environment from the waterfront to the galleries, pubs and cafes all contribute to making this a special place. It can only be good for our clients if we feel free to think and create with no hindrance.”

Some key clients have already booked the Bluestone360 conference room for their own regular monthly board meetings after being inspired by the space.

Steve Kyffin continues, “The move to the new space is part of a clear direction for our business.”

“We have been working hard on our 5 year plan during this challenging economic period. The move was not just about how inspirational the space is but also had good solid business rationale behind it. We have room for growth and believe that Plymouth can and does offer a world-class platform for us. This space reinforces that. It really has soul and echoes our ethos of inside out thinking.”

Mills Bakery has recently been shortlisted for a RIBA award and the RICS award.