An arts student is hoping to reach creative directors around the globe after her poster design was picked up by Netflix and shared on social media.
Darlington College student Megan Picken is a huge fan of the Netflix psychological thriller ‘You’ and was moved to design a poster of the popular show.
“I love ‘You’ and was really inspired by the show, particularly the plot twist that he is schizophrenic, so I designed a poster influenced by the Japanese horror manga artist Junji Ito,” she said.
She posted the result on her Instagram tagging in Netflix with its 1.6m followers.
“I just happened to wake up at 3am and checked my phone to see the time,” said Megan, 18, of Newton Aycliffe. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw in my notifications that Netflix had uploaded my poster to their story so all of their followers could see it.
“I was completely freaked out but had to be quiet as everyone else was asleep. I couldn’t get back to sleep but in the morning I told my mum, though she didn’t really understand what it meant.
“It will be fantastic for my portfolio and I’m hoping it might be noticed by some creative directors who might drop me an email. If not I will go searching them out on LinkedIn.”
The former Woodham Academy student is studying a UAL Level 3 extended diploma in creative practice at Darlington College and plans to read a graphic design degree.
“I’d love to be a freelance graphic designer,” said Megan, who is also learning Dutch. “I really like branding and identity and for my final major project am doing a live assignment for my sister, who is studying hairdressing at Darlington College and plans to open her own salon heavily influenced by the 1970s.
“I’d also love to redesign the Apple logo one day because it has been around a long time now.”
Darlington College arts lecturer, Pippa Eeles, said: “Social media is such a great platform for our young people because they can showcase their talents and you just never know who might notice anywhere in the world. I’m thrilled that Megan’s work has been picked up by Netflix and can now be enjoyed by its 1.6m followers. It is so exciting to think where this could lead.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk
Photo: Darlington College student Megan Picken, 18, of Newton Aycliffe, with her poster which was spotted by Netflix on Instagram.