A graduate from Coventry School of Art and Design has been crowned UK Photoshop Champion and is now hoping to land the world title.

UK Photoshop winner and Coventry School of Art and Design graduate Brian Males

Brian Males, who studied Automotive and Transport Design at Coventry University, achieved the highest score in a nationwide challenge which has earned him a place at the Adobe World Photoshop Championship in the USA later this month.

In addition to an all expenses paid trip to compete at the world final, which takes place in Washington, D.C. from 31 July to 3 August, Brian was also awarded a cash prize of £100 plus the latest release of the professional graphics editing package.

Brian honed his skills in Photoshop as part of his degree course at Coventry School of Art and Design, which runs dedicated Photoshop modules so that students can gain a competitive edge in the job market by achieving certification in industry standard software.

Last year the School became an Approved Training Centre for the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) accreditation scheme and it now works in partnership with Prodigy Learning, who provide the online assessment system, and Adobe Education UK to deliver the scheme. The modules have proved very popular with hundreds of students, encouraged by the University to take advantage of the scheme, signing up.

Following the introduction of the ACA assessment, a number of Coventry students entered the world championship based on their ACA test scores. From a tough field of entrants from across the country, Brian emerged the winner, achieving the best UK score and thus claiming his place at the prestigious world final.

For the World Championship, which takes place over four days in America’s capital city, entrants will sit a more advanced test and will also be set commercial level practical assignments, which test their theoretical knowledge, technical ability and creative skills.

Joy Monkhouse, Lecturer in Graphic Design at Coventry School of Art and Design said: “Brian achieved a fantastic result to become the UK winner and reach the Adobe World Photoshop Championship. We now wish him every success in the final.

“He has shown a real aptitude for Photoshop and an excellent understanding of how to apply his skills. Brian’s achievement demonstrates that by embedding employability and accreditation Coventry University can produce world class industry ready graduates.”