Visitors to Hybrid Services's showroom in Crewe will be welcomed by an all-encompassing new look, envisaged and brought to life by local sixth-form students. Incorporating signage, decorative and promotional print, attendees of South Cheshire College were invited to reimagine the space, which hosts the UK's broadest array of Mimaki equipment.

Students worked with in-house design agency UV Creative to create new graphics for the centre, with groups pitching their ideas in an Apprentice-style format. The successful concept was then produced over two days using the Mimaki technologies at hand, including the manufacturer's latex, SUV, solvent, textile and UV-curable ranges.

"I am really happy that I had the opportunity to work alongside a real client," comments student Ben Smith. "It has definitely made me more focused and it is reflected in the amazing results. I believe it's the best work I have created throughout the whole two years of the course."

"Hybrid has opened up a world of opportunities for our graphic design students as well as allowing them to create bespoke [designs] for the company," adds Laura Sumner, assistant director of arts and media at the college. "They have had the opportunity to design, develop concepts and pitch their ideas in a professional domain. This has [instilled] a greater confidence within our learners – more then we could ever achieve alone."

Hybrid channel partners Xpres and R A Smart collaborated on the project, as did some customers, including Soyang, Image Group and Cestrian.