A 22-YEAR-OLD student at the University of Worcester has scooped a top design award.

Laura Cohen has been named Octanorm Student Exhibition Designer of the Year 2007 after designing a winning exhibition stand.

The Creative Digital Media student entered the contest to gain more experience in design.

"I entered the competition simply to gain more experience on working on real project briefs," she said.

"I wasn't expecting to get placed let alone win it, so I was really pleased." Octanorm is recognised as the world leader in the manufacture and distribution of aluminium profiles and systems for the exhibition, retail and display industries.

Miss Cohen, of Chaddesley Corbett, had to design an eight by eight-metre exhibition stand, which was four metres high, to promote Octanorm in the exhibition industry.

She said: "My design concepts have been chosen to be used within Octanorm's exhibition stand at the Exhibiting Show at Earls Court in London on Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday 27."

Miss Cohen said she was inspired in her work after completing work experience at Design Built Exhibitions Ltd in Redditch. She said: "My friend Caroline Horsley works there. Through her I met designers Martin Davies and Dave Preece from Design Severn in Kidderminster who have really inspired me to take a career in exhibition design."

Miss Cohen received her award at an al- expenses paid function at the Oscar's Exhi-bition News Awards which took place at the Hackney Empire Theatre in London last month. She was given £500 and a trophy.

She added: "I'm now looking to work for a design company doing 3D visualization and graphics, but I'm keen to learn new skills."

If you can help Miss Cohen find employment call her on 07813 336630.