For the first time ever in Europe, the iconic South by Southwest Festival (SxSW) made its debut in East London in June 2025 for a week-long feast of talks, panels, music concerts and film screenings championing art, tech, fashion and design.

The festivals’ official design partner, Canva – through creative agency Public School - approached London College of Communication (LCC) to collaborate with our talented students, inviting them to bring their creativity to the platform and push the boundaries of Canva’s design tools.

As part of the Canva Co-Lab activation Space in Shoreditch, Jazmine Roldan and Charlie Morgan-Anstee, BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design students completing their Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) year, were commissioned to design customizable SxSW posters templates using Canva, inspired by London’s creative scene and the festival themes.

The posters were showcased at a Poster Design Station, where SxSW festival goers were invited to curate their own posters using the students’ designed elements. Through this experience, the Canva Co-Lab space transformed design from a solo act into a shared experience, where brands, artists, and industry leaders shape their work and the future of creativity together.

Students also attended the wider SXSW programme of events, immersing themselves in a variety of creative events, keynotes, workshops, concerts and networking opportunities.

Talking about her experience at the SxSW Festival, Jazmine said “Attending the SXSW Festival itself was an invaluable opportunity. Beyond seeing my design in action and attending the music festival and design conferences, I was able to connect with industry professionals who expressed their admiration for my designs and explored potential commissions.”