An advertising agency which encouraged its staff to take black and white photographs of the Brighton Festival has been nominated for an award.

Designate, along with the Brighton Festival, has been shortlisted for the annual Arts and Business Awards for 2003 which will take place in London.

The firm in St George's Place, Brighton, has been recognised for its sponsorship of the festival which attracted more than 300,000 visitors to 700 events across the city.

A staff photographic project which demonstrated the firm's enthusiasm and commitment to the festival has also caught the judges' attention.

Equipped with disposable black and white cameras, Designate staff were dispatched to document 24 hours of their lives over the festival.

The resulting images, including Man And Dog and Lady With Fan, were exhibited at the Brighton Dome over the summer.

Adam Hill, Designate's managing director, said: "Getting everyone in the agency thinking creatively on one project has been great, especially for people whose normal role is not a creative one.

"The fact there were so many different interpretations of the festival shows how open creativity can be.

"For me, hearing people around the agency talking about the project even months later shows how positive the project has been for Designate."

Rachael Duke, sponsorship and development officer for the festival, said: "We are delighted Designate's investment in the community is being recognised in this way."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on February 18.

Thursday November 20, 2003