Three students from the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester have been rewarded for their designs in a publicity campaign to attract fresh visitors to Kent’s seaside towns.

The artists, who are studying Design, Branding and Marketing, were among 10 second year undergraduates who staged an exhibition as part of a project being run by Visit Kent to highlight the county’s coastal attractions.

The exhibition, The Creative Coast, ran from October 17 to October 24 at the Isle of Thanet Arts gallery at No 10 Margate Pier.

Amanda Cottrell, Chairman of Visit Kent, said: “The seaside postcard project is part of an ongoing campaign to change the perception of Kent’s coast from one of declining seaside resorts to one of an active and vibrant place to be.

“We are inviting people to take a fresh look at the coast, stretching from Whitstable right round to Dungeness. Today’s visitors are likely to be found eating oysters as well as sticks of rock and our campaign reflects that rich cultural life along the Kent coastline.”

She added: “There is nothing more appropriate than asking these talented young designers to help us with this effort to take a fresh look.”

The Kent’s Culture Coast campaign precedes the opening of the Turner Contemporary in 2010 in Thanet and includes support for existing popular cultural events such as the Broadstairs Folk Festival and Margate Rocks. Kent’s Culture Coast campaign is a partnership project led by Visit Kent and supported by Arts Council and Kent Arts Development Unit

Andrew Jackson, tutor at the University for the Creative Arts, led the students’ art project. He said: “Their brief was to produce strong imagery using the familiar seaside postcard format, and to push the boundaries to highlight the different cultural activities and venues along the Kent coast.”

Three students: Daniel Mogentale (first place), Ryan Hawkes, (second) and William Waterman (third), each received cash prizes from Amanda Cottrell, Chairman of Visit Kent, at the exhibition launch.

UCA students will also be working with Visit Kent on a future project designed to promote the county’s water sports.