Graphics and branding play a part in startup’s success

A platform that allows users to create and share bite-sized educational videos anywhere, anytime and that can be instantly shared has had outstanding success at a UNSW pitching competition for student-led startups.

Art & Design student Clementine Rocks developed the all-important graphics and branding for Snack, which won three of the five prizes at the Peter Farrell Cup run by UNSW’s Business School.

Entrepreneurial student teams from all faculties pitch their startup ideas during the annual competition, ahead of potentially launching a real business.

The Cup is named after Peter Farrell, 2001 Australian Entrepreneur of the Year and founder and chair of world-leading connected health company ResMed.

The 2018 winner was all-female team eXsight, which created a solution for mobile phone users who are colour blind. YellowBox placed second for its idea to create smart lockers.

Snack took out the other three prizes –third place as well as People's Choice, and Marketing and Brand Strategy – earning $20,000 from sponsor Brand Cube.

Ms Rocks, a final-year Bachelor of Design (Honours) student, was an integral part of Snack team, which otherwise comprised Engineering students.

“It’s exciting to work on a project with a team who value the importance of design as highly as they do,” she said.

The team evolved from this year’s UNSW Maker Games, an industry-based prototyping contest where cross-disciplinary teams aim to solve an industry challenge.
 
At that competition, teams pitch their solution to a targeted industry partner. Successful bids win mentorship and funding to build a working prototype.

Art & Design lecturer Dr Kate Dunn, who taught Ms Rocks for three semesters, says the Snack team “took off and became a startup” after meeting at the Maker Games. 

“I’m amazed at how well she’s going with it,” Dr Dunn said. 

“She brings a lot to the table in every project, so it’s nice to see her getting some attention for it.”

Ms Rocks said Snack was prompted by team member and tutor Jake Fitzgerald’s desire to make and share educational videos for his students.

“It’s very exciting and encouraging to be validated, not only by the judges, but also the audience and a marketing professional who is keen to work with us,” Ms Rocks said.

The team will work over the summer to refine the tool before expanding it beyond its already strong user base.

“Thanks to our branding prize, we will be working with Brand Cube to market our product, meaning we currently have minimal costs to self-fund,” she said.

“We plan on keeping our costs very lean for as long as possible until we have a product that people truly love.”

Find out more about Snack.