Creative industries employ internationally qualified design graduates from AOD

Wednesday, 29 August 2012 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With Sri Lankan names starting to pop up in the global fashion, advertising and other creative sectors, it is apparent that the local creative industries are on a steadfast journey towards global recognition.

AOD – Sri Lanka’s international design campus – has been harnessing home-grown creativity with globally acclaimed British design education to provide a stream of qualified design professionals for the industries. After the recently held AOD graduation show that premiered to creative industry leaders, the young talent from AOD is in great demand within local design businesses.

The Sri Lankan production house for the global fashion giant NEXT, was among the first to employ AOD graduate talent for a career that promises international prospects. Chanaka Perera, Country Manager at NEXT Sourcing Sri Lanka, said that he was extremely impressed with the integration low-tech craft with fashion, seen among AOD fashion graduates. “Some very interesting work. The knowledge they have for new ways of using dyeing and batik for fashion is fantastic!”

The local apparel giant MAS also employed two graduates from AOD. “There’s a lot of great talent coming from AOD; something that’s very encouraging for those of us in the industry,” said Shakti Ranatunga, MAS Holdings Group HR Director.

MAS Linea Aqua’s Design Chief Leigh Millar who employed another young AOD fashion designer stated: “Sri Lanka hasn’t seen talent of this calibre before!”

Ranjan Wijeweera, Mondy’s CEO, who also employed AOD fashion designers, said: “Appreciate the hard work done by AOD to bring out these students’ talents. Great opportunity for students and the industry as well.”

The local advertising industry too employed several AOD graduates. Nimal Gunewardena of Bates Strategic Alliance, where several AOD graduates will commence careers very soon, said that he was happy to see AOD “arranging the new face of local creativity”.

Gayathri Hanwella, owner of GH Resources, also employed AOD graduate talent recently and stated: “Great talent! It gets better and better every year.”

Neela Marikkar of Grants McCann Erikson, where several AOD graduates are already employed, said: “It’s so exciting to see such talented individuals coming out of this country, fostered by AOD.”

For more information call AOD on 11 5867772/3 or log on to www.aod.lk or www.facebook.com/aodsrilanka.