The collaboration between the Northern School of Art and Middlesbrough FC is aimed at giving aspiring artists and designers the opportunity to showcase their talents while celebrating the history, fans and the area.
Speaking of the project, Illustration student Amelie Smith said: “The brief was to focus on the history of the club, exploring historical players and games, as well as Middlesbrough as a town by looking at iconic landmarks and moments in history.”
The project kicked off earlier this month with the first design from student Ace Edwards, featuring his Roseberry Topping-inspired artwork for Middlesbrough’s league opener against Lincoln City.
Ace said: “It’s been an honour working with my local club and I’ve loved seeing fans’ reactions to the programme covers. I’m especially grateful for the chance to illustrate a beautiful landmark so close to home for such a large audience.”
Further work shortly followed from student Amelie Smith with her cover for the Carabao Cup fixture against Wrexham, which features a duelling red lion and red Welsh dragon, inspired by the crests of the two clubs.
She said: “I feel incredibly proud seeing my work on the cover. Seeing the final programme in professional imagery promoting MFC’s game against Wrexham was a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment.”
The project follows the success of Play Among the Stars, an illustrated fanzine produced by students on The Northern School of Art’s illustration course, launched at the end of last season.
Matthew Burton, Senior Lecturer on the illustration degree programme based in Hartlepool, said the project would give students valuable experience.
“We’re very proud to have been offered the opportunity for our degree-level illustration and design students to provide the official matchday artwork for the 150th anniversary season,” he said. “We feel that this project will expose the quality of The Northern School of Art students’ work and hopefully allow fans to see the club through a new lens.”
The programme artwork will continue throughout Middlesbrough FC’s home matches this season.
