BA (Hons) Graphic Design student Erin Hurcombe and graduate Staci Hocknell both took part in this year’s School of Thought course and competition.
Based in Manchester and Leeds, the intensive 12-week creative programme challenges participants to tackle a new brief every week and pitch their ideas face-to-face to some of the region’s top agencies.
At the end, prizes are awarded for the best ideas and one overall winner wins a career changing trip to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, worth thousands of pounds.
Erin won two of the four main categories for Best Idea and Best Copywriting, while Staci picked up the top prize School of Thought Champion 2025.
Erin, 20, from Holmes Chapel, said: “School of Thought was challenging and rewarding. I began the programme as a nervous presenter, heavily relying on cue cards, but with experience I grew into a more confident presenter able to pitch confidently to professional agencies.
“Every week I was being inspired by real world agency briefs and other participants, who came from a range of creative backgrounds, which helped broaden my thinking and creativity.
“I was shocked to have won both Best Idea and Best Copywriting, especially as a Graphic Design student, where copywriting isn't something I had previously considered as a strength of mine. It was incredibly rewarding and has given me the confidence to develop ideas beyond visual design.”
Overall winner Staci, 27, from Alsager, said: “Working under pressure and receiving feedback from industry professionals every week, has helped me develop faster in 12 weeks than I could have imagined possible! It has pushed me to think even more outside of the box, as well as how to articulate my ideas clearly and effectively.
“It feels incredibly rewarding and a bit surreal to have been named School of Thought’s 2025 champion. I never started the process with winning in mind; my goal was to learn, push myself creatively, and build confidence in my abilities.
“Winning feels like validation for all the hard work, long hours, and growth that came from stepping outside my comfort zone. Getting the chance to go to Cannes Lions Festival makes it even more special, as it's something I'd never have been able to do otherwise and gives me the chance to immerse myself within the leaders in the creative industry.”
Staci graduated from University of Staffordshire in 2021 and now works as a Senior Concept Designer at Ashfield MedComms.
To current students, Staci advised: “Say yes to opportunities that come your way, you never know where they may take you! I would have never imagined four years ago that I would be where I am today, but I have taken on each step in the journey one at a time to get here.”
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