A GRADUATE from Huddersfield University is set to take on his first employee – after securing a footing in the competitive world of design and marketing.

Shaun Gilbert launched full service design and marketing company Born Ready Design Ltd in 2008 while on his final year through the university’s Business Mine.

Now he is set to recruit an employee after being awarded a £1,000 grant from the university to investigate new opportunities for his budding business.

Shaun made a splash with his final year project, called Captain Maria – The Quest, which aimed to motivate children aged seven to 13 to get involved in exercise and learning.

The project, set aboard a pirate ship, had children taking the role of Captain Maria’s crew on a quest to find five elements.

During his final year, Shaun also won the contract to design and build a website for Deighton-based organisation the Parents of Black Children Association.

He has also worked for a leading design agency on brands including Speedo, Gatecrashers and Sleepmasters.

After graduating in June last year, he created a full branding for Halifax restaurant Cactus Joe’s.

Since then, he has also worked on projects for Argento Steakhouse and CIBO restaurant in Huddersfield.

At Argento, he tackled the branding of the website, menus and marketing material.

He has also won business as far away as Nottingham – designing and marketing an upmarket beauty salon called The Abbey.

Shaun now works from the Media Centre, Northumberland Street.

He said: “My aim in 2010 is to continue working closely with clients to build on our success and to win new business. I was awarded a £1,000 start-up grant from the Business Mine to put towards developing services further to assist restaurants.”