Archie Bogle, Ruaridh McLean and Murray Notman have won D&AD New Blood Award pencils
A daring beer bottle campaign and a high street bank for data have been recognised by the UK’s premier awards for young creatives.
The two projects by students on Edinburgh Napier University’s MSc Creative Advertising programme are on display as part of the 2026 Degree Show this week.
Tuborg or Dare by Archie Bogle and Ruaridh McLean, alongside Murray Notman’s The Bank of the Golden Pigeon have been named among the winners of this year’s D&AD New Blood Awards.
The leading industry organisation for the creative sector, D&AD recognises the best responses to design briefs with a D&AD New Blood pencil at different levels of excellence – which will be revealed at an awards ceremony later this month.
Reacting to the awards, Creative Advertising Programme Leader George Shepherd said: “It's an incredible achievement and a reflection of the talent, determination and creative ambition coming through on our course.
“The D&AD New Blood Awards are the premium global competition for aspiring creatives, so to see our students recognised at this level is something we’re immensely proud of.
“It’s a testament not only to their ideas, craft and resilience, but also to the collaborative, ambitious culture we’re building on the course.”
Tuborg or Dare
Responding to a brief from Tuborg, Archie and Ruaridh’s concept Tuborg or Dare uses the Danish brand’s iconic pull-off cap to scratch a dare on the bottle.
It aims to foster camaraderie and connections among a Gen Z audience "that craves novelty".
The Bank of the Golden Pigeon
Murray’s proposed collaboration between Giffgaff and Big Issue aims to “reframe mobile data as a form of currency and launch the UK’s first bank for data”.
The Bank of the Golden Pigeon employs Big Issues vendors as bank tellers, encourages Giffgaff members to deposit unused data and redistributes it to young people in need.
These latest pencils for ENU students follows success in recent years at these awards – with unique takes on Extra chewing gum and Heineken beer.
You can follow in their footsteps and find out more about the MSc Creative Advertising programme here.