The future looks bright for one teenage art prodigy from Essex who is enjoying growing recognition for his designs.
A logo made by 14-year-old Leo Bignell, a Year 9 pupil at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, is being used as the branding for a charity fashion show which will be held at the school on Saturday after it won first place in a competition.
Speaking of his success, Leo, who completed the sketch on an iPad, said: “I was happy because I had worked quite a long time on the design.”
In 2013 Leo won a similar contest to design the logo for his primary school in Tendring, Essex, which featured on all of its literature and stationery.
He has also been awarded an art scholarship from St Joseph’s because of his talent.
Creativity runs in Leo’s family. His father, Andrew Bignell, is the co-founder of brand agency Kino Design which came up with the iconic London 2012 Olympic bid logo; and his mother, Merlyn Bignell, is a former fashion designer who now mentors students.
Mrs Bignell said she and Mr Bignell were “very proud” of Leo, who lives in Beaumont-cum-Moze.
She added: “He has always been creative – as a toddler he was never without a pencil and pad with him so he could draw.
“At the age of nine his primary school had a visiting artist Nichola Burrell in to do cardboard portrait workshops with the children. This was Leo’s introduction into using a different material and since then he has created the most incredible cardboard sculptures that go from very small scale to a 6ft robot.”
Saturday’s fashion show will raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
There will be an auction selling one of Framlingham singer Ed Sheeran’s shirts, as well as others prizes.
Danielle Clarke, principal of St Joseph’s College, said “It is wonderful that Leo, one of our talented art scholars, should use his expertise to create such a stylish logo. We hope it will help draw in the crowds for the event, which is supporting such a worthy cause.”
Tickets can be purchased here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here