Inspiring the Next Generation of Creative Talent at Shirebrook Academy
Date published: 27 July 2026 Updated: 29 July 2026
At Optima, we believe that encouraging the next generation of creative talent is just as important as delivering exceptional design for our clients.
That's why we were delighted to partner with Shirebrook Academy to deliver a two-part illustration workshop, giving students first-hand insight into careers in the creative industry and life inside a graphic design agency.
The initiative began in January 2026 when I reconnected with the art department at my former secondary school to organise a hands-on creative experience for their students.
Ahead of our visit, each student was asked to select a passage from their favourite book, a moment they would later bring to life through illustration.
I was joined by Optima designer Darren, and we both spent the day at Shirebrook Academy introducing students to the creative industry, exploring career paths in graphic design, branding and illustration, and sharing what it's really like to work within a busy creative design agency.
The session featured a practical illustration workshop led by Darren, who demonstrated a range of sketching and drawing techniques before challenging students to begin concepting their chosen book passage. Throughout the workshop, the we worked closely with each student, offering guidance and professional feedback to help transform their initial ideas into fully realised illustrations.
After the workshop, we returned to the studio with sixteen fantastic pieces of artwork, each demonstrating an impressive level of creativity, imagination and technical ability. The illustrations were proudly displayed in one of Optima's meeting rooms, giving the entire team the opportunity to admire the students' work.
Selecting an overall winner proved incredibly difficult. Every illustration brought its own unique style and interpretation, making the judging process a real challenge. After much discussion, the team chose a winning piece based on creativity, composition, storytelling and illustration technique.
From Workshop to Studio: Honouring the Students' Work
To celebrate the students' achievements, we welcomed the group to our Lincoln studio for the second part of the experience.
Their visit began with a tour of Lincoln's historic landmarks, where they learned about the city's rich heritage before heading to the Usher Gallery to view The Papestry exhibition, a remarkable five-metre-long fine liner illustration capturing the iconic Bailgate and Steep Hill.
The day concluded at Optima's studio, where the students saw their own illustrations professionally displayed in our office. Myself and Darren hosted a final presentation, announcing the overall winner and presenting them with a collection of professional illustration materials to encourage them to continue developing their artistic talent.
Investing in Future Creative Careers
Supporting young creatives is something we're passionate about at Optima. Whether students choose to pursue careers in graphic design, branding, illustration, marketing, web design or the wider creative industries, we hope this experience has given them valuable insight into the opportunities ahead, and the confidence to continue exploring their creativity.
A huge thank you to the staff and students at Shirebrook Academy for welcoming us into the classroom. Your enthusiasm, imagination and talent were inspiring, and we can’t wait to see where your creative journeys lead next.
