Advice for freshers

An advice poster is given as a welcome gift to all students starting a course at participating universities, when they enrol.

By Kareena Zerefos, a graduate of the College of Fine Arts, Sydney, now a commercial illustrator Photograph: PR

Chris Stonehill's poster, created in 2006, when the project started, explains its aim - to allow every first-year student the benefit of advice from someone who knows - a graduate.

Chris did an MA in illustration at University College Falmouth and is now a freelance illustrator working in Norway. Photograph: PR

By Coralie Bickford-Smith, who studied typography at Reading University and is now a cover designer at Penguin Books.

She says: 'When you do things over, it's a chore, but it makes them better: practice makes perfect. It's also a nod to my post punks days at university and how hard it was to fit in to an institution and conform to the rules of typography.' Photograph: Flickr/PR

By Anthony Burrill, MA in graphic design at the Royal College of Art, now a designer working in print and moving images.

Every student has a piece of advice they wish they had known when they started their course. The posters are a chance to pass on that advice, and make a difference. Photograph: Flickr/PR

By Simon Peplow, BA in illustration at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, now a freelance illustrator working towards shows in New York and Boston. He says 'Believe in you own abilities, surround yourself with inspiring people and just keep going ... never give up.'

A poster gives the message the chance to sink in slowly - and maybe help later on. Photograph: Flickr/PR

By Nigel Peake who studied architecture at Edinburgh University and is currently finishing a project with Hermes. He says 'It is too easy to get caught up within the limits of your daily routine. Often the best times are found outside these walls.'

As well as passing on advice, the project aims to help new students to feel welcome and bring a sense of belonging and continuity to their first days at university. Photograph: Flickr/PR

By Oliver Sutherland, BA fine art, University College Falmouth, currently producing work for a London show. He says 'Try to do as much as possible, see as much as possible, create as much as possible.'

Advice is subjective, but by passing it on in a creative way, it is possible to produce something that lasts, that students will live with and use when they need. Photograph: Flickr/PR

Look beyond your environment by Robert Evans, BA graphic design, University College Falmouth.

The idea for the project came to John Stanbury when he was talking to a friend, who said she often asked her grandmother for advice and wisdom Photograph: Flickr/PR

Use your library by Rebecca Cobb, BA illustration at University College Falmouth, now a freelance illustrator specialising in children's books. She says 'I hope you have a very happy time at university. I really like the idea of using personal experiences to hopefully help first-years.'

Photograph: Flickr/PR

By Supermundane (Rob Lowe), who studied graphic design at Cleveland College of Art and is now creative director of the children's magazine Anorak. He says 'Adopting the pseudonym Supermundane helped me to create (or maybe just recognise) a world that I could work within.'

'It is the attempt at the exchange that matters most' - John Stanbury, who devised the poster project. Photograph: Flickr/PR