The list of finalists for this year's Northern Design Competition, run by Leeds Met, has been announced, with students from the University in the running.

The competition, open to students studying at a university, college or sixth form in the North, has seen nearly 3,000 entries, including 250 entries to the category new for this year, the Young Designer. Other categories include product, digital, graphic, architectural, photography and fashion design and prize money totals over £15,000.

Our City, Our Music, a project undertaken by Innovation North students and staff, has been selected as a finalist in the Digital Media and Product Design Categories. Ben Dalton, principal lecturer in the Innovation North visual media collective, said: "It's been fantastic to work with so many talented musicians and filmmakers from across the city along with crucial support from colleagues at Leeds Met."

There will be an opportunity to see the finalists' entries at 4pm to 5pm on June 18 at The Rose Bowl, where the short listed pieces will be on display for an hour along with the opportunity to speak to the entrants about their work.

Leeds Met established the competition in 2005 to showcase design talent in the north and it has grown year on year.  Wayne Hemmingway, founder of fashion label Red or Dead, will be chairing the judging panel once again.

The winners of each category and the overall competition winner will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held by Leeds Met at The Rose Bowl on Thursday 18 June and screened live on BBC big screens throughout the North. 

Wayne said: "This will be the fourth year of the Northern Design Competition, a competition that received over 2,500 entries in 2008. Last year was my first as a judge and I was heartened by the overall standard. The competition celebrates the best young design talent in the North. Design has a strong base in the North and as a 'northerner' I am pleased to once again be taking up my position as Chair, I am looking forward to seeing what this year's competition produces."

On the afternoon of 18 June, the finalists will be showcasing their designs at a special Employers Forum, which will give top employers from around the region the opportunity to meet some of the North's best up-and-coming designers.  This, along with the evening's dinner event, aims to give new entrants to the job market the opportunity to showcase themselves as the new talent of the future and open up opportunities for themselves in the North.

The Northern Design Competition 2009 is sponsored by the BBC, Yorkshire Forward, Lifelong Learning Network, Thompson Brand and BAM.

For more information please visit http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/northerndesign/index.html