Jess’s T-shirt is one of Silverstone’s best sellers

Graphics whizz Jess Black has put her career prospects in pole position after designing one of the summer’s best-selling T-shirts from the home of British Motorsport.

The University of Northampton Graphic Communication student took part in an annual challenge set by Silverstone Circuit’s merchandise team, which gives those on the degree course the opportunity to design T-shirts and caps.

Each year around 200 student designs are submitted, with the best selected, produced and sold by Silverstone.

Jess’s T-shirt design to commemorate the 2017 British Grand Prix caught the eye of the Northamptonshire track’s merchandise team – and also F1 fans, who snapped up more than 2,500 over the summer, making it one of the best-selling items in the circuit shop.

“I was so proud when I found out my design had been picked for production,” said Jess, who comes from Farnborough in Surrey and is now beginning her third year of studies.

“I was on my own when I got a message from my tutor giving me the good news, and I admit I did a little happy victory dance.”

Jess’s reward was a pair of tickets for July’s British Grand Prix, and while she was there with her mum Sue, they popped into the shop to check out her design.

“It was surreal because there was a customer at the till who was buying my T-shirt. My mum couldn’t help herself and went over and told him I’d designed it – she was so proud.”

Hoping to follow in Jess’s footsteps are the current crop of second year Graphic Communication students, who were briefed by Silverstone’s merchandising team earlier this month, before going to the track for a research visit.

Their designs will be whittled down by Silverstone in the new year, with the best generic designs and those with the 2018 British Grand Prix theme, selected for sale.

You can buy Jess’s T-shirt via the online shop.

Pictured at this month’s brief with second year students are Silverstone’s head of merchandising, Lee Mullen, and buyer Vicki Shirley