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Norwich University celebrates 10 years of the Big Book Crit

Hundreds of Norwich students have shared their work with leading creative professionals over the last decade – gaining invaluable feedback, industry connections and career opportunities.

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Norwich University of the Arts is celebrating ten years of the Big Book Crit, an annual event delivered in collaboration with the Data & Marketing Association (DMA) that brings students together with leading creative professionals.

Over the past decade, the event has provided invaluable opportunities for students to receive expert feedback, build industry connections and take meaningful steps towards their future careers.

As the Big Book Crit reaches its 10th year, Norwich continues to host one of the largest events of its kind in the UK.

The Big Book Crit is a portfolio review event. Students meet individually with creative heads of department to discuss a curated selection of their work, gain constructive feedback and learn what the creative industries are looking for in graduates.

It also offers a valuable opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and receive guidance on future career paths.

Set within Norwich’s vibrant creative community, the Big Book Crit brings students and professionals together, often leading to internships and job opportunities through contacts made on the day.

Two men sit at a table, closely looking at a laptop screen. One man is pointing at the laptop while the other attentively follows along. Both appear to be engaged in discussion in a bright office setting.
People sit in small groups at tables in a bright, modern meeting room with large windows, talking and working on laptops and documents. Bottles of water and folders are on the tables.
Two women sit at a table looking at an open book together. One woman is wearing a blue shirt, the other a black shirt. Bottled water and empty glasses are on the table in a bright room with large windows.
A woman and a man sit across from each other at a table in a modern, brick-walled room, discussing design materials and images, with papers and a laptop in front of them.
An older man and a younger woman sit at a table in a bright office, looking at documents together. The man has glasses on his head and appears to be listening intently to the woman, who is talking.
People sit in pairs at tables, some discussing artwork or papers spread in front of them, in a spacious room with exposed brick walls and arched doorways. The atmosphere appears collaborative and creative.
A large room with brick walls and wooden floors, filled with groups of people sitting at tables, talking and working together. A projector screen is visible at the front of the room.
Two people, one man and one woman, sit at a table in a bright room. The woman is using a laptop and smiling, while the man beside her also smiles. Papers and a water bottle are on the table.

The Big Book Crit at Norwich University of the Arts, photographed over the last ten years.

Reflecting on the event, Cordell Burke, Global Executive Creative Director (EMEA) at Up There Everywhere, said:

“At our very first Norwich Big Book Crit, one creative head was able to offer a student photographer their first properly paid job after seeing their portfolio. Since then, there have been many similar stories from every Big Book Crit that have resulted in a job or a placement, which is incredibly heartwarming. The creative heads get as much out of the sessions as the students do.”

Jessica Reilly, Head of Talent and People at the DMA, said:

“The DMA are incredibly proud to have partnered with Norwich University of the Arts for the past ten years on Big Book Crit. During this time, we’ve seen conversations that have sparked real opportunities and connections that have shaped careers. This is exactly what meaningful industry engagement looks like.”

We’d like to thank all the industry guests who generously gave their time to support this year’s anniversary event:

  • Neil Wright, Ark
  • Amy Simpson, B&A Reps
  • Adam Ewels, Beneath
  • Scott McKay, Bleat Creative & Focal Point
  • Matt Johnson, BizClikMedia
  • Liam Gilbey, Cut The Mustard
  • Alex Jeffery, Creative Nation
  • Simon Barnes, Creative Sponge
  • Michelle Williams, Creativity Unbound
  • Nicola Preston, Dialogue Agency
  • Rupert Burroughes, Dialogue Agency
  • Ben Pye, krow
  • Richard Mitchelson, krow
  • Evie Borthwick-Clarke, k.works
  • Lee Cooper, k.works
  • Alwin Ediagbonya, Meantime Media
  • Jack Purling, Meantime Media
  • Jodie Cole, Naked Marketing
  • Andy Bobbin, Production Bureau
  • Lee Norton, Production Bureau
  • Lucy Easton-Bradley, Production Bureau
  • Simon Price, Production Bureau
  • Rob Wilkes, Quadmark
  • James Coy, True Group
  • Neil Tweddle, Typo-Graphic
  • Cordell Burke, Up There Everywhere
  • Jess Ford, Yawn Marketing
  • Rob Hall, Yawn Marketing
  • Ben Rothery
  • Conner Perry
  • Marcus Codrington Fernandez
  • Mike Harrington
  • Shane Horn
  • Stephen Ong

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Hundreds of Norwich students have shared their work with leading creative professionals over the last decade – gaining invaluable feedback, industry connections and career opportunities.

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