The annual Creative Industries Degree Show features final year students from a range of creative degree courses, from Architecture to Animation and many more.
The event will be officially opened by Shannel James, from arts and education charity Culture&, at a special ceremony on Friday 29 May, before opening to the public from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 6 June.
In the Fashion exhibit is a collection of mulitfunctional streetwear by student Patrick Ang, which will soon feature on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week in London.
Originally from the Philippines, Patrick progressed onto the BA (Hons) Fashion course after completing an Art & Design foundation degree at the University. Having been introduced to the print room in his final year, Patrick created his own patterned textiles for the grunge style collection.
“I think at the moment customers are finding it difficult to find clothes that are gender neutral, so I decided to make it genderless,” explained the 24-year-old.
“I found that denim was high on the trend forecast. I chose it because it is a strong material and used bleach and paint samples to create that faded grunge look.”
He added: “I am excited to show my three outfits at Graduate Fashion Week, and I'm just hoping that I could win an award or possibly get a job opportunity.”
Also among the other work on show is an immersive installation, One Day, by BA (Hons) Fine Art student Lily Lambert who has transformed a corner of the Cadman Studio into a fairytale Italian villa, complete with a wishing well.
“The installation was informed by a prolonged period of uncertainty in my personal life, during which ideas of wishing, angel numbers and symbolic reassurance became emotionally significant to me. I became interested in how people use hope, belief and imagined futures as a way of navigating difficult or unresolved periods of life,” explained Lily, 21, from Alsager.
“I wanted to fully transport visitors into a world of my own creation. Throughout the installation, viewers encounter symbolic elements such as a wishing well, angel numbers, dandelion seeds and portal-like structures. I hope that at least one of these symbols will resonate personally with each viewer and remain with them beyond the gallery space.”
She added: “Audience participation is also central to the work, with visitors encouraged to make a wish within the installation, creating a shared archive of hopes and imagined futures.”
Fellow Fine Art student Charlie Locker has created more than a hundred paintings and drawings, which explore his creative process.
“The art you see on the walls, tucked away in corners, piled up on the desk, was created from the start of the project, last September, to the final day of our installation. I have included absolutely everything I made or didn't quite finish making, during these eight months.” commented the 26-year-old.
“What inspired me was my busy, messy brain and my compulsion to make artwork even when I don't know exactly what I'm doing. I set goals for myself and I failed, some of my art sucked but I've put it on the wall anyway.
“My project is completely different to what I set out to do, but I'm okay with that. My show has ended up being about the search for meaning, vulnerability, honesty and being okay with imperfection.”
Student film projects will also be screened during the exhibition, including a short film by BA (Hons) Film Production Jake Whitehead about the decline of UK pubs.
Shot on location at Stoke-on-Trent pub The Royal Oak, in Harriseahead, the comedy-drama follows a group of working-class characters who find out that their local is being closed down to be turned into flats.
“I was inspired by growing up around Stoke and being in that environment,” shared Jake, 21, from Kidsgrove. “I have always loved seeing the little karaoke and events that take place in local pubs that bring communities together.
“This is one of the most ambitious projects I have undertaken, and I had to find several cast members and a pub location that was fitting for the script. It feels amazing to be able to show my film at the degree show. All the hard work and long hours are worth it when we can share our work with the public.”
University of Staffordshire was recently named ‘University of the Year’ for employability at that Academic Employability Awards 2026 and the Creative Industries Degree Show is just one example of linking academia and industry.
The event forms part of the University’s wider GradEX showcase where all graduating students get the chance to present their work to prospective employers. At a series of events hosted on campus, industry judges award prizes to the best final year projects – which are also shared with employers globally on the dedicated online GradEX portal throughout the summer.
The Creative Industries Degree Show officially opens at 6:30pm on Friday 29 May and will remain open to the public until Saturday 6 June 2026.
The exhibition is located on the University of Staffordshire’s College Road site, ST4 2DE. There is no need to book – simply drop in and enjoy the student work.
Opening times:
Saturday 30 May: 11am – 4pm
Sunday 31 May: 11am – 3pm
Monday 1 June: 11am – 4pm
Tuesday 2 June: 11am – 4pm
Wednesday 3 June: 10am – 7pm
Thursday 4 June: 11am – 4pm
Friday 5 June: 11am – 4pm
Saturday 6 June: 9am – 3pm
Course exhibitions:
BArch Architecture
Art and Design Foundation
BA Cartoon and Comic Arts
BA Fine Art
BA Fashion
BA Animation
BA Graphic Design
BA Illustration
BA Photography
BA Surface Pattern and Textile Design
BA Product, Furniture & Ceramics
MA Ceramics
BA Film Production
BA Acting for Stage and Screen*
BA Automotive and Transport Design & MA by Negotiated Study
BA Sound Design*
BA Music Production*
BA English and Creative Writing