GRAPHICS students got their first taste of the world of business when they designed logos for local companies.

The designs, by year ten pupils at St Francis Xavier School, Richmond, will now feature on the firms' letterheads, brochures and other literature.

The students agreed specifications with their clients to establish the message to be conveyed, design limits, company details and the target market.

They then drew up prototypes, used computers to produce a selection, and eventually chose one logo to be laid out on letterhead paper, business cards and compliment slips.

Through the process, the clients, which included a property investment and management company and an equestrian instructor, rejected, suggested and selected ideas.

Margi Irving, of Irving's Property Investment, in Richmond, chose a black and orange design.

She said: "It is a strong, simple design using three building blocks to emphasise the three elements of our business - finders, management and lettings - and using the bright, fresh and optimistic colour of orange."

Equestrian instructor Vicky Miller opted for dressage and showjumping figures on a scroll in lilac and light blue.

R E Marshall, a groundworks and machinery hire company, is still deciding between two logos - a traditional five-bar gate and a more modern, geometric design.

Teacher Emma Humphries said: "The benefits of the project were vast. Students had to work far outside their comfort zone.

"They had to listen to and understand guidance and direction from an unfamiliar person, both face to face and written, develop designs that did not necessarily appeal to them, put themselves in other people's shoes - the target market - and face rejection."

The school will continue to run the project and is interested to hear from companies and organisations that would welcome new logos.