NTU Elefairies

As part of an exciting creative collaboration between Elefair and the #Grads4Nottm scheme, three students from Nottingham Trent University are taking part in a two week internship. We will be working together to tackle the multiple design challenges set by Elefair to improve the company’s online presence and visual outlook in-store and at festivals throughout the summer. 

The new members of the team ready for the hard work to start!

I’m Emily, a first year fashion communication and promotion student with a passion for blogging, styling and visual merchandising. To bag yourself the dream career within any creative industry there is one key tip; experience experience experience! This is why the #Grads4Nottm scheme is such a valuable opportunity for us eager creatives, it offers a platform to work alongside local SMEs solving real challenges that will not only benefit the business but provide professional work for our portfolios. Everyone is a winner!

For weeks we have been shrouded in mystery surrounding the identity of our employer but finally our first day meant it was time for the big reveal. Starting an internship can feel daunting, you don’t know what to expect but it was a big relief to meet Ele and Kiera who are incredibly down to earth and friendly – the main requirement set was to have fun!

When we were introduced to the shop my first impression was what an amazing pop of colour! Every inch of the store is cheerful, a real Aladdin’s cave. The traditional products from Nepal and Bali are colourful by nature and this immediately jumped out at me as an opportunity to further push this fun and bright outlook throughout the work we produce.

The first brief I have been set to tackle is designing a visual merchandising concept to promote Elefair during Sherwood Arts Week. The big idea is titled ‘Postcard from Nepal’, celebrating the Nepalese heritage of the brand with traditional scenery and craft products, complete with a 3D model of the mountains. To go alongside this I shall also be developing information posters, order forms and leaflets which will put my graphic design skills into practise.

Meanwhile Catherine and Maevis are working on designing a visual concept for the stall that will be pitched at Glastonbury. It is important to continue to promote the brand ethos outside of the store whilst also developing innovative ways of catching the festival-goers’ attention. This will be achieved with a statement arch draped with fabric in the existing Elefair colours to draw people in.

The Elefairies hard at work

I’m looking forward to what the next two weeks have in store for me, I have already learnt that there is a quick turnaround within retail and briefs need to be met sufficiently and on time – an exciting challenge. I can already see that by the end of my time here I will have snapped up some lovely Elefair products myself – the struggles of being a magpie fashion student working in a beautiful store!

Stay tuned for more updates from us new Elefairies…

Emily