We’re thrilled to announce that Evie Clarke, a Communications Design student from Norwich University of the Arts, has won our national branding competition to create the visual identity for Nottwich 2019.

Next spring, cultural leaders from 28 countries will come to Norwich for the global gathering of the UNESCO Cities of Literature. Norwich and Nottingham (two of the UK’s four Cities of Literature) have been successful in a joint bid to host the week-long forum. Nottwich 2019 will showcase the huge creative talent of both cities to an international audience.

Evie’s winning design will be used across all event publicity and promotion. The competition was open to students from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Norwich University of the Arts (NUA).

Evie, 22, originally from Buckingham, said: “I am really pleased that my identity was selected and I’m excited to see how it will be developed. The design brief appealed to me because it was a chance to design for a cultural event happening in England for the first time.”

In addition to Evie’s winning brand, seven designs received highly acclaimed accolades as follows:

• Tom Clarke & Peter Abrahart (NTU)
• Daniel Curtis (NUA)
• Martha Grant, Sarah Rose, Kat Mellor (NTU)
• Eliza Fudge (NUA)
• PuiYu Law (NTU)
• Jessica Lane (NTU)
• Luca Oosthuysen (NUA)

Caroline Mayers, Head of Marketing at Norwich Business Improvement District & VisitNorwich, who helped judge the NUA entries, said: “The standard was incredibly high and it was refreshing to see the contemporary approaches to the brief. We look forward to celebrating the positive impact literature continues to have on Norwich with the arrival of the Nottwich conference next May.”

‘A contemporary, playful feel’ – Nicky Page

Sandeep Mahal, Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, said “Both charming and considered, Evie’s work showcases the positive connection and creative partnership between Norwich and Nottingham Cities of Literature. We look forward to animating the Nottwich brand across our respective cities next Spring.”

The overall judge of the competition was Nicky Page, Director of Dunedin City of Literature, New Zealand, and Chair of the UNESCO Cities of Literature Communications sub-group. She said: “We were enormously impressed by all of the shortlisted entries and found ourselves confronted with a dilemma. In the end, we were drawn to the irresistible winning brand, with its contemporary, playful feel and clear message that skilfully reflects the connection between Cities of Literature.”

Nottwich 2019 will be a chance to showcase Norwich and Nottingham on the international stage. In addition to celebrating the impact writers and writing have had on both cities, it will also involve creative exchange and welcome representatives from design, film, music and media arts.