02 March 2009

While uncertainly abounds over the current economic state, many business have held back plans and investment in their product development. This doesn’t seem to be the case for Oxfordshire based business Zeta Compliance Technologies.

Zeta Compliance Technologies, whose mobile and web technology ZetaSafeâ allows hospitals, universities and other large property portfolios to monitor and manage Health and Safety compliance programmes, including minimising the risk of infections such as MRSA and Legionnaires’ Disease, is currently working closely on an exciting and innovative project with Coventry University.

Graphic Design students from the university will undertake a four week assignment to design Icons for Zeta Compliance Technologies core product ZetaSafeâ, which is the world’s first and market leading, web based compliance solution. 

“At Zeta Compliance Technologies we are always looking for innovative ways to enhance our  industry leading products and services . Through our research, we have witnessed the rise in the use of Icon graphics, take Apple for example. We see the use of Icons on our customer website (ZetaSafe®) and our handheld device software (ZetaMobile®) as a great way to create a unique brand for our suite of products now and in the future while making the user experience intuitive in any language.” Dr Andrew Dobbins, CTO

The Graphic Design course at Coventry School of Art and Design has long had a reputation as one of the leading graphic design courses in the UK and graduates from this course are much sought after by the creative industry. Don Fitzpatrick, the Course Director has very strong views on the importance of building professional relationships between higher education and industry:

 ''Our relationship with companies such as Zeta is crucial in bringing ‘live’, real world projects to Coventry School of Art . Real projects for high quality clients are a key part of our curriculum. They not only challenge our students to create original solutions to real problems but they also help them develop a professional attitude. Working in collaboration with companies such as Zeta also enhances our student’s employability skills and is an invaluable introduction to the design and business practices of leading edge companies.”

Leading the brief, James Fields-Davis added:

''It's all about balance for us and a very genuine desire to  give something back by encouraging and supporting  educational  projects. It's good for the students to learn and know of the expectations of clients in the real world”.

Students from the university have been presented with a detailed design brief to develop Icons for several functions that are integrated into our web based compliance tool ZetaSafe(r). The students are able to work in small teams or as individuals. They will submit their designs on the 12th of February 2009 and a panel of judges from Zeta compliance Technologies will select three or four designer or team solutions to develop their ideas further. The designers or teams selected will have ten days to develop their ideas before presenting them to a panel of high profile judges on the 23rd of February 2009. Judges on the day will include Rob Nicoll, CEO of Zeta Compliance Group plc,and John Caines, who was recently awarded an OBE in the Queens Honours list earlier this year for service to Entrepreneurship and to Business in the South West.

Third Year graphic design student Giles Halton says about the project “One of the great things about studying graphic design at Coventry School of Art is the fact that opportunities to do industry placements and work on live projects for companies such as Zeta Compliance Technolgies are built into the course structure and represent our first steps into industry. It’s the best of both worlds really”. 

 In addition to this project Zeta Compliance Technologies will be sponsoring the 2009 Graphic Design Degree Show which opens to the public at Coventry School of Art on 30 June.

Don Fitzpatrick, “This annual event is the culmination of 3 years of concerted study and effort. It gives our graphic design students an opportunity to present their creative work to the creative industry in the Midlands and to the world at large at the Designers and Art Directors New Blood Show at Earls Court, London in July”.
Further to the sponsorship of Graphic Design Degree Show, the designers of the three shortlisted finalists will all receive a cash prize.   
 

Schedule of Events:

19^th January 10am: Coventry University
Students get briefed on the Icon project by Zeta Compliance Technologies                                              

29^th January 10am: Coventry University
Feedback and Support visit                              

12^th February 10am: Coventry University
Return to select a shortlist of 4 to present there further developed ideas to a panel of Judges

23^rd February 2pm: Zeta Compliance Technologies Bicester                         
Shortlist of four to come to our offices and present further developed icons  to panel of judges including:

30^th June 2009: Graphic Design Degree Show