Four students from the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business have made a mark internationally by winning a coveted Wood Pencil at this year’s D&AD New Blood Awards, one of the top honours in the global creative industry.
Jaden Thompson, Nina van Wyk, Chloe Vos, and Tyla Lottering, all third-year students in Red & Yellow’s Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication programme, are the only South African entrants to win a Pencil this year. Additionally, Red & Yellow is the only African institution recognised in the 2025 competition.
Their achievement reflects their talent and hard work and goes to show that Cape Town and South Africa’s growing creative reputation is worth noting across the world.
“Getting the D&AD Pencil feels like winning a Grammy Award for creatives,” said Chloe Vos. “Receiving that recognition after all the hard work feels amazing and motivates me to keep going, knowing I’m capable.”
“I think winning the Pencil confirmed my feelings about my work,” added Jaden Thompson. “It made me feel proud. Red & Yellow really pushed me to raise my standards.”
The D&AD New Blood Awards celebrate bold, fresh ideas from the next generation of creatives. The judges include some of the most respected names in the industry. Each Pencil represents excellence in craft, original thinking, and impact.
Red & Yellow’s culture of creativity, along with its focus on hands-on learning, makes it a stronghold for young talent. With experienced lecturers like Heloise Bottomley, Liz Pienaar and Craig Strydom guiding students, it’s no surprise the institution continues to produce outstanding creatives.
“Our lecturers’ experience helped us push our ideas further,” said Nina van Wyk, reflecting on the importance of mentorship in their success. “Their insights were key to helping us earn this award.”
The Red & Yellow Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication serves as a launchpad for creative minds, combining illustration, design, photography, and art direction to develop practical skills and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to explore their unique voices and build real-world portfolios to prepare for global careers.
“I hope this award will look great on my CV and help me land a job in illustration, which is my dream career,” said Tyla Lottering.
“This recognition is a win for Cape Town and South Africa,” said Craig Strydom. “These students show that local talent can excel on a global stage.”
The students’ success comes at a time when illustration and design are more important than ever. These fields shape how we see the world, engage with information, and experience brands. Their work showcases the diverse creativity of South Africa and sets a new benchmark for what young African creatives can do globally.
Whether in product packaging, children’s books, digital design, or campaign visuals, the impact of illustration is everywhere. With this new generation of award-winning illustrators, South Africa’s creative future looks brighter than ever.