Creative talent shines as Graphic Design student wins Christmas card competition

Sam Armstrong, a 3rd year Graphic Design student, was announced as the winner of this year’s University Christmas card competition, impressing the judging panel with a design that captured both festive spirit and creative flair. His artwork, selected from dozens of student submissions, will now be featured as York St John’s official Christmas card, celebrating his talent and marking a proud moment in his academic journey. 

The University’s inaugural Christmas card competition was presented to Graphic Design students, giving them an opportunity to showcase their creativity while developing valuable employability skills. Students were invited to design an animated card that reflected the spirit of the season, with the winning entry set to be professionally produced and shared as the University’s official Christmas card. 

Throughout the process, students gained experience in working to a brief, presenting their ideas, and refining their designs based on feedback; key skills to prepare them for real-world creative industry demands. The competition not only highlighted emerging talent but also supported students in building confidence and strengthening their portfolios. 

Commenting on his win, Sam Armstrong said: 

“I had a lot of fun working on the design, even though I initially struggled while exploring different approaches and trying to find something that fit the brief and aligned with York St John’s identity. I landed on a grid-style layout inspired by advent calendars, with each frame revealing different imagery that comes together to form the final Christmas scene.  

“I was pleasantly surprised and very honoured to win! The experience has boosted my confidence knowing my work is at a good enough level to be presented to the public. I feel my portfolio is much stronger after this project and I feel more prepared to enter the field when I leave university." 

Highlighting Sam’s winning design, Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of York St John University, said: 

“I was delighted to see the entries we received for the York St John University animated Christmas Card design from students studying BA in Graphic Design. The enthusiasm for this project combined with the quality of work presented was excellent, and also demonstrated the exceptional standard of learning and teaching available at the University.  Sam’s design shone through with its thoughtful interpretation of the brief, strong colour choices, and a final outcome that captured every element perfectly.” 

Dr Clare Nattress, Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design, added: 

“Running this brief for the first time was a real experiment, and our students jumped in with amazing enthusiasm. The winning design from Sam stood out straight away - fresh, thoughtful, and full of festive spirit. I’m incredibly proud of our students for responding to the brief in a timely fashion. Their creativity and confidence have set the tone for what this new tradition can become.” 

Find out more about Graphic Design at York St John University.