For creatives

Isobelle Farrar is still reaping the benefits of winning the Nottingham Young Creatives competition some years ago.

Supported by both universities, the competition is a springboard for creative young people across the city, offering a cash prize and short design course at Nottingham Trent University to the winner.

Isobelle entered the competition while studying an extended diploma in art and design at Nottingham College. It was her tutor who encouraged her to put forward her coursework design as Isobelle wasn’t confident enough in her work. Just a few weeks later she found out she had been shortlisted in the design category for her work of 10 illustrated letters spelling out Nottingham. Each letter depicted parts of the city she liked and some parts she thought could be improved – such as the H which represented homelessness and homeless shelters.

At the time Isobelle suffered from anxiety and was taken aback by the scale of the competition. She wasn't sure she'd be able to walk on stage at The Playhouse awards ceremony should she win her category. But when her name was announced she plucked up the courage and accepted her certificate. Then her name was called again - as Isobelle was named the overall competition winner.

Two years later she says she is still reaping the rewards. She got to see her artwork displayed in Nottingham Bus Station, completed a short graphic design course at Nottingham Trent University as part of her prize and was asked to design the invitations for the Nottingham Goose Fair dinner which she then attended as a guest. For 19-year-old Isobelle, however, the biggest reward was the confidence she gained in herself and her work, confidence which is now allowing her to strike out as a freelance artist.

Read more stories like Isobelle's below.