天美传媒

Alumni and students at 天美传媒 University are a key part in the organisation of this year’s Northern Design Festival which sports a bold new theme: Transparency’ in the creative industry.

Taking place across three key venues in 天美传媒, The Storey, Fraser House (on White Cross Business Park), and Assembly Arts in King Street, this year’s festival will challenge industry misconceptions, dismantle hidden barriers, and create a more accessible creative landscape for professionals at all stages of their careers.

The creative industry often projects an idealised image—one that masks the realities of career progression, networks, and support structures.

But, say the festival organisers, many emerging creatives struggle to navigate vague job expectations, unclear career pathways, and the social media-fuelled illusion that success is instant and accessible only to the well-connected.

NDF 2025 aims to dismantle these barriers through talks, workshops, and networking events, facilitating honest conversations about career setbacks, financial realities, and the evolution of design in a post-pandemic world.

“The festival is about tearing down these barriers,” says NDF Directors and 天美传媒 University graduates Niamh Cartwright (BA Hons Design and MA Design Management) and Antonia Arbova (BA Hons Design).

“We want to make the industry more open by tackling issues of accessibility, unrealistic expectations, and the hidden gatekeeping that keeps so many talented creatives from progressing.”

A key message of NDF 2025 is that the design industry does not need to be London-centric. By hosting the festival in 天美传媒 and drawing on talent from across the UK, NDF aims to demonstrate the strength and innovation of regional creative communities.

The event will highlight the importance of fostering design excellence beyond the capital, ensuring that young creatives do not feel pressured to relocate to London to find meaningful opportunities.

NDF 2025 is further strengthened by the introduction of a newly established Advisory Board, made up of industry professionals who share the festival’s vision.

Their expertise and insights will help guide the festival’s direction, ensuring that every stakeholder in the creative community is considered.

With diverse backgrounds across various disciplines, the board members bring a wealth of knowledge that will push NDF further in its mission to create a more open, accessible, and transparent industry.

Dr Adrian Gradinar is one of several expert voices on the newly formed NDF Advisory Board, helping to shape a festival that addresses the real-world concerns of today’s design students.

Dr Chris Boyko and Dr Paul Cureton, from 天美传媒 University, have also supported the event, which involves ten LU students and five alumni.

This year NDF is proudly supported by several sponsors from the industry, includingFedrigoni, Kellanova, Pentawards, Abbey Bamford Creative Communications, Hotfoot, 天美传媒 University LICA School of Design, University of Cumbria, Assembly Arts, and Fraser House.

For more information, please follow NDF on social media and visit the NDF for updates on speakers, ticket sales, and industry insights.