A total of 17 final year graphics design students from Limkokwing University have been conceptualising the design and finished visual for the promotion and publicity design materials intended for this year’s French Art Festival.

The effort is a part of the collaboration exercise between Limkokwing and French Embassy Malaysia and Alliance Françoise under the University’s indusity programme.

Indusity (Industry + University) is a term coined by Limkokwing University to describe its collaboration with industry partners.

According to Limkokwing University’s lecturer Ms Maslisa Rose, the students, who are currently pursuing the Curtin University’s Bachelor in Graphics Design, work in groups of three.

“The three groups spent about three weeks to come up with their designs that would eventually be used for posters, invitation cards, flyers, booklets, buntings and t-shirts to promote French Art Festival 2008.”

However, the organiser will only choose one design from the three submissions to be used as the main theme of the festival, scheduled in May 2008.

The French Art Festival is the Malaysian version of the “Printemps Français en Asie” (French Springs in Asia) presented every year in every South-East-Asian country by the Embassies of France and their cultural institutions. The French Art Festival’s aim is to showcase the themes of cultural diversity in France.

The opening ceremony of the festival is scheduled on May 7, 2008 at the Golden Screen Cinemas Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur.

The organiser requested the students to design their materials to portray the festival as a fun, artistic, joyful and colourful event.

The first team of the students, comprising Chua Chiun Yin, Mischele Mariam, Nurulhuda Mansor, Chai Chiang Chiew and Tan Jau Yong, submitted an entry based on the France national flower – the Fleur De Lis or Iris.

Mischele Mariam said that their design conveys a sense of variety of the festival which will showcase music, dance, films and food.

“As the flower also means rainbow, our design represents the diversity of French Arts scene,” she explained.

She added that the submission is also intended to create awareness for the French Arts & Culture appreciation especially in music, dance, film and food in Malaysia.

Team number two, comprising Teh Chen Yee, Lim Sheng Yeong, Harris Budiyanto Wijaya, Ronald Gunawan, Stevanus Tan and Kendy, submitted an entry themed “Frenchship.’

“Our team decided to use a “ship” as the main idea of our presentation. The concept revolves around a ship, naturally from France, and it is laden with everything about France from music, food and movies,” said Lim Sheong Yeong.

Team Three, with Ariena Zulkifly, Ivana Sasmitaputra, Syarifah Aliifah, Lim Boon Sim, Naomi Rapoo and Joanne Tee Huey Shan, decided to submit a rather interesting entry which requires the participation of the intended target audience of the festival.

Naomi Rapoo said that their interactivity presentation should whet the curiosity nature of many people so much so they would want to attend the festival in May.

“Our designs are full of colours which portray an energetic, fun and playful festival,” explained Joanne Tee.

Apart from promoting, the group’s entry also informs the public of the many activities and events which include dance, film, music and video.

The three teams are also working on to create a new food design concept that will offer guests an amusing and interactive experience at the opening ceremony of the festival on May 7 2008. Similarly, only one design will make it onto the opening night.

The French Art Festival 2008, an annual event designed to promote and celebrate French film, contemporary arts, dance, music, food, will run from May 7-22, 2008.