Winners of the competition could be in line for an exciting student placement at Virgin Design studios next year. There are  other prizes of return tickets on Virgin Atlantic airlines to any destination as runner up prizes.

Students have until May 7 next year to submit their ideas, and a judging panel of University of Derby and Virgin  representatives will decide the winning entries. There will be a presentation to winners at the end of year Arts, Design and Technology Degree Show’s Private View at Markeaton Street on May 30, 2008, which attracts hundreds of visitors annually.

The Design Challenge was just one highlight of today’s official visit as hundreds of students, staff and VIPs warmly  elcomed Sir Richard and his team for today’s official launch.

Sir Richard also:

• Arrived at the University’s Motorsport Centre and drove to the main Markeaton Street entrance in Derby's Global Light racing car;
• Opened the building officially by unveiling an acrylic plaque in The Street, inside the building, engraved with his signature. Illuminated by a specially lit display;

Viewed the facilities and met staff and students and discussed their current work projects across disciplines in arts, design and   technology, including in Fashion Studies, Textiles, Commercial Photography and Video, Crafts and Light Sound and Technology;

• Took part in a Photography Masterclass with Derby graduate Steve Schofield - named by the Sunday Times as ‘one to watch’ for the future;
• Took the hot seat for a question and answer session with students and VIP guests including those from blue-chip firms such as Rolls- Royce;
• Met some of our Derby graduate success stories including Amin Ismail, whose wristwatch translator device is set to be used by Armed Forces in Iraq to aid ommunication with civilians; and Matt Stevenson, whose unique ‘self-cleaning’ Biorb fish tanks appeared on TV’s Big Brother. Matt now has a multi-million pound business and has sold tanks to celebrities such as Paris Hilton;
• Was presented with an iPod Touch, complete with a video of his tour, edited during the final stages of his visit by experts in our Apple Accredited Training Centre.