Visual Communication grad wins Apple’s ‘Your Tree on Battersea’

The 2025 MA Visual Communications graduate called her design ‘Snuggle tree, named after the cosiness of the season. It is among 24 winning submissions being projected onto the 101-metre-high chimneys and wash towers that soar above the River Thames in Battersea.

Other trees being projected include designs by established artists and notable figures such as Kylie Minogue, Sir Stephen Fry, Oliver Jeffers, David Shrigley OBE, and Munya Chawawa, who also hosted the competition.

“I’m so excited to be selected for this competition,” said Varsha. “I was inspired by the sweaters, stockings, and all the warm things at the Christmas market in the coldest of months.

“I started by drawing fuzzy little minions and went on to add warm highlights, Christmas hats, and glowing stars. I haven’t celebrated Christmas as part of my culture before, but the idea of gifts, lights, and snow excited me. This competition was a way for me to be part of the festive atmosphere.”

This competition continues Apple’s tradition of celebrating festive creativity and marks the first time the company has opened the opportunity to the public.

In 2023, artist David Hockney created Bigger Christmas Trees on iPad Pro, and last year, Aardman – creator of Wallace & Gromit – used iPhone 16 Pro Max to create a short animation.

You can visit the Christmas tree projections every day between 5pm and 10.30pm.

While last month saw Varsha named a winner of the Docker Brewery Company’s beer can competition, which saw Varsha’s ‘Local Lager’ label design chosen as the best of the student entries. The competition was part of Folkstone’s inaugural Illustration Festival, organised by Kollectiv.

To learn more about studying graphic design at UCA, visit the course pages.

Follow Varshna on Instagram @ _varsha_simha_