Studio Salford giving emerging creative talent a platform

The enterprise is built on a clever business model which teams student and graduate creatives up with experienced design and media studio managers who lead on each project to ensure a professional service.

Students and alumni come from a range of degree programmes including Film Production, Television and Radio, Graphic Design, Photography, Journalism, Digital Media and many more.

Facilities on offer include state-of-the-art TV, radio and photography studios, editing and graphic design suites, and the latest industry-standard cameras and sound equipment. 

The agency has already had a string of successful projects under its belt, including partnering with Greater Manchester Combined Authority during lockdown to design Creative Care Kits aimed at aiding older people with isolation. 16,000 kits were distributed across greater Manchester, with activities including music, writing, craft, horticulture and drawing.

They also worked with Zymurgorium (pictured), Manchester’s first craft distillery. The team effectively delivered a range of collateral including corporate trade films, a 5-minute documentary, a product brochure and stylised photography.

Studio Salford’s Josh Spencer said: “I graduated with an MA in Media Production last year, specialising in documentary making and storytelling. I am passionate about filmmaking and editing and working for the agency is a fantastic opportunity. The Zymurgorium project has offered me the chance to put my creative and technical skills into practice.”

Studio Salford is the brainchild of the University of Salford’s Associate Dean of Engagement and Enterprise Sam Ingleson, Media Manager Christine Pyke and Design Manager Yasmin Stopford.

Sam Ingleson has worked in the School of Arts and Media since 2000 in a variety of in both teaching and industry-based knowledge exchange. She said:

“We were delighted Studio Salford were chosen to deliver a project working with Zymurgorium, an award-winning local business with international reach, Within this multi-platform project our design and media studio managers chose the apposite student teams to undertake the work – bringing their expertise and creativity to deliver on budget and on time.”

Christine’s many years of experience in filmmaking helps her choose the ideal student team for each project – and offers clients expedient solutions to their briefs. She said:

“The School of Arts and Media is real hotbed of talent and we were increasingly finding industry asking to work with our creatives. Having the studio based at MediaCityUK, an international hub for innovation, technology and creativity, means that we can collaborate with industry with ease.”

Yasmin’s expertise within design is crucial to the organisation of the agency, which enables students to gain experience working on live projects. She said:

“As a university, we are dedicated to nurturing talent. All students and graduates are paid whilst getting the opportunity to gain valuable work experience within a mentored environment, alongside building their individual portfolios.

“Studio Salford provides students one-to-one mentoring, while an experienced management team gives reassurance to clients and industry partners that projects are always professionally executed.”

Find out more about Studio Salford. 

To contact the team email:

Design Manager: Y.F.Stopford@salford.ac.uk

Media Manager: C.Pyke@salford.ac.uk

Twitter: @Studio_Salford

Instagram: @studio_salford