The £1200 prize was presented to Paula by Diseworth-based Blueprint’s managing director, Rob Day – himself a graduate of Lancaster University – during a recent visit to the city.

Paula, who came top of the class in her final year to win the Blueprint Scholarship, is now working in the Manchester office of media agency Vizeum.

While in Lancaster, Rob also met final year Marketing and Design undergraduate Piotr Motyka, winner of the Blueprint Scholarship 2012 for best first year on the course. Piotr and Paula shared their thoughts and ideas about marketing and design with Rob - a conversation which all three found enlightening.

Rob, who graduated in Management Science and Marketing from Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) in 1985, said, “LUMS is a triple-accredited, world-ranked management school, consistently among the UK’s top five, so when Blueprint was approached to support its new Design and Marketing degree scheme, we jumped at the opportunity.”

“This degree aims to develop the creative managers of the future. By creating the scholarship we’re providing a real financial incentive to the student who achieves the highest mark in the year, giving them the chance to make a great head-start and to encourage them to enter our industry.”

Poitr said, “I was thrilled to receive the Blueprint Scholarship and am very grateful to Blueprint for providing it. When searching for a degree course, I was immediately drawn to the scheme’s mix of marketing with design. The scholarship has been a great asset and helped me secure an amazing internship in Canada working for the Dilawri Group. It was fantastic meeting Rob and discussing with him how quickly marketing has changed since he graduated from LUMS. It's amazing to see how passionate LUMS alumni are about Lancaster University. It reminds you that even though three years at Lancaster fly by, you will always be part of the Lancaster University family.”

Adding her thanks to Blueprint, Paula said, “Receiving the Blueprint Scholarship has truly enhanced my experience of the BSc Marketing and Design course and cemented the importance of blending marketing and design principles.

“As a graduate taking my first steps towards a career in marketing, I hope in the future to be able help other students achieve their goals just as Blueprint Interiors has helped me.”