Greenfaulds man Jamie Shirra wins design competition

Jamie Shirra (23), who is soon to graduate Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA Honours in graphic design for digital media, was a winner in a Scottish Institute for Enterprise competition.

Jamie has devised an application, which he calls Reflect-a-Pic, to help people deal with stress, anxiety and depression.

Jamie explained how the app works: “Each day you take a little snapshot of something you’ve achieved.

That then disappears, but once a week the app will display your entries in a gallery to show you all these things you’ve done in that week.”

As a winning entrant in SIE’s Young Innovators Challenge, Jamie was awarded £2,500. He will also get further help developing his design, including continued use of university facilities and a two-day “boot camp” in Dundee.

Jamie added: “A lot of social media focuses on sharing with other people but this is more about taking pride in yourself without comparison to what others are doing.”

GCU professor Bruce Wood said: “This is exactly what we want to see from students. Applying their creative skills to help a social need and produce a good solution.”

Diane Joyce, programme leader, said: “Jamie has consistently been one of our strongest students and his excellent design thinking skills are demonstrated in this digital solution.”

Jamie’s concept will be displayed in the Caledonian Creates exhibition at the university from May 27.