Suffolk University graduate wins award for Ipswich design

Sammi Wong, who graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2023, was behind the design entitled 'Re-imagine Ipswich = Discover. Connect. Belong.' 

The creative maps of the town were digitally superimposed onto key buildings such as Paul Silo on the waterfront, the town hall and next to the Purple Shop.

The artwork aims to showcase the culture and history of the town (Image: Sammi Wong)

Miss Wong, who is an Ipswich-based artist, said; “I am incredibly happy to have gained such a prestigious award and recognition for my design. It is still a shock and I am still telling myself that it wasn’t just a beautiful dream!"

Sammi Wong has received the award. (Image: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown)

Miss Wong graduated from the University of Suffolk with a degree in Graphic Design and through her final year studies chose to create a project on the theme of reinvigorating the town.

The hope of using map based images is to try and captivate a familiarity and belonging with the project. 

Icons of Ipswich like the town hall were digitally rendered with the artwork over the top (Image: Sammi Wong)

One of the artist's former lecturers, Dr Vassiliki Tzomaka, said: “It was wonderful to see Sammi’s fantastic project win the New Talent Site Specific category of the prestigious World Illustration Awards 2024.

“The project reflects Sammi’s final-year investigation into the theme of environmental graphic design and how it can be used to develop community identities.

"It is testament to her innovative thinking, strong design and illustration skills, and incredible work ethic."

Familiar Ipswich buildings have been reimaged in the artwork (Image: Sammi Wong)

Another graphic illustration graduate from the University of Suffolk, had also made the longlist when it was announced in early summer.

Maria-Teodora Dragomir from Bucharest was longlisted for the New Talent Book Covers category for her work on a BBC Studio book cover.