Hull’s city centre is about to get a creative winter glow-up - and it’s all thanks to the incredible talent of our Level 3 Illustration students!

Over 50 Hull College students have been working with HullBID to create stunning original artwork for Winter Windows - an exciting festive art trail that will transform shop and business windows across the city this Christmas.

Running from 20th November to 4th January, Winter Windows will showcase 12 standout designs from our students, printed on large-scale vinyl and proudly displayed for everyone to see.

A Real-World Creative Challenge

This collaboration with HullBID gave students a live brief - offering a real taste of professional creative work. Their challenge? To design bold, winter-themed illustrations that capture the magic of the season while bringing colour and joy to the streets of Hull.

HullBID’s Events, Marketing and Social Media Manager, Victoria Yates, said:“Winter Windows will showcase the talents of Hull’s next generation of creative professionals and encourage visitors to explore our amazing city. It’s been brilliant to see students’ ideas come to life and brighten up Hull over the festive period.”

The final 12 designs were chosen by a judging panel made up of members of Hull’s business community, including Beth Fell (Allenby Commercial), Tina Swann (Wykeland’s C4Di), HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito, and our very own Head of Competition Gina Hobson.

Our talented featured artists are: Chloe Hanna, Evie Sikorska, Kacy-Leigh Taylor, Ellen Irons, Matsu Parker, Xavier Rogers, Storm Pritchard, Poppy Brown, Alec Gheorghe, Macie Watson, Amy Mason, and Emily Bettles.

Following the judging, all participating students were recognised for their creativity and effort with certificates - with Matsu, Evie and Kacy-Leigh receiving special awards from Gina Hobson.

Laura Johnson, Lecturer in Illustration, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience what it’s like to work as professional artists, submitting work to a panel for selection. The standard of work has been incredible, and I can’t wait to see their designs lighting up the city centre.”

Tina Swann from C4Di added: “I’m blown away by the standard of work, and it has been a privilege to be part of the selection panel. It’s fantastic to see so much developing talent. I have no doubt we will see some of these young people in C4Di in the future working alongside other creative industries and contributing to the vibrant scene we have in Hull.”

Explore the Trail

The Winter Windows trail is supported by Hull City Council, Wykeland, Lush, John E Wright, The Hull Trinity House Charity, and Savills’ Queens House building. It will run from Thursday 20th November 2025 until Sunday 4th January 2026. For more information, please visit the Hull BID website.