Gray鈥檚 graduate reflects on success after winning National Design Award
A graduate from Gray鈥檚 School of Art has won the prestigious national Kelpies Prize for Illustration. Ramune Kregzdyte is a Lithuanian artist who graduated in Communication Design from Gray鈥檚 this year. As well as receiving a 拢500 cash prize, Ramune will now embark on 9 months of mentoring with the Floris Books design team. RG View caught up with Ramune, to find out more about her success.
"My work focuses on the contemporary stories of Scottish festivals and celebrations. I use digital illustration techniques to bring new atmosphere and feeling to everyday scenes.
As part of the selection process for the Kelpies Illustration Award, I had to submit a selection of illustrations suitable for a children鈥檚 book. My winning illustrations focus on the ancient tradition of common riding which dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, during the continual land border wards with England and against other clans. It was a Border Country custom to plunder and thieve cattle, and commonplace amongst the major Borders families.
My work highlights the inequality problem prevalent in Common riding and I illustrate a girl's linear journey from falling behind to succeeding once encouraged by the public. I explore symbolism and metaphor and include hidden details for viewers to discover.
I鈥檓 absolutely thrilled to have won the Kelpies Prize for Illustration. It is such a prestigious national