Article date:  10/06/2009

In these times of doom and gloom, with the ever increasing scandal surrounding MP's expenses and financial worries at the forefront of many people's thoughts, it's important to try and find the smallest glimmer of joy.

That's exactly what illustration students from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design faculty at Birmingham City University have been doing through a competition set-up to design a piece of 'happy' artwork.

Mitsubishi Pencil Co., owners of the uni-ball brand, challenged 50 handpicked students from the Gosta Green campus to create an inspirational piece of artwork based on the theme of happiness. Students were supplied with over 500 POSCA marker pens to get creative with and now the finished pieces of art have been shortlisted to six.

The six entries were chosen by a judging panel that consisted of POSCA artist and enthusiast Matt Jones, uni-ball's assistant marketing manager Clare Gibbard and the subject leader for Illustration at the School of Visual Communication George Hart.

All of the artwork selected demonstrated the 'write on any surface' quality of POSCA and interpreted the theme of happiness in a unique way. The entries include a pair of handmade shoes, a customised locker, a range of fine illustrated plates, an urban drawing on wood, illustrations underneath a table that are reflected by glass and a large wall drawing.

Commenting on the students' work George Hart said: "Everyone has put a lot of time and effort into this competition, which is highly commendable as the students enter the exam season. This shows that they have really enjoyed experimenting with POSCA, blending vibrant colours directly onto a selection of different materials to create some visually stunning art."

Clare Gibbard, assistant marketing manager for Mitsubishi Pencil Co., said: "POSCA marker pens are great for design students as they can practically write on any surface. From glass to wood to plastic, students can customize and create designs that are only limited by their imagination.

"We would like to thank the illustration students for taking part in this competition. The students' entries were of exceptional quality and we look forward to revealing the eventual winner."

The chosen artworks will be exhibited at the newly launched Doodle Bar in Battersea, London. It is here that members of the public will cast their votes to select the artwork that best interprets the theme. The winning student will receive the opportunity to work alongside Matt Jones as well as a top cash prize.

To find out more about POSCA and other products within the uni-ball portfolio visit www.uniball.co.uk