By Robert Andrews BBC News Online

Next-generation artists and designers are showing off their work on a weekend which could make or break their chosen career.

Cardiff Art and Design Week is a key event for students at the city's top art college and is attracting more high-profile interest than ever.

It means students at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, bearing all to an array of politicians, prospective employers, friends and relatives.

Designers have a chance to show off work

The spotlight shines on the capital's creative community after a tough yet fruitful study year, serving as celebration and opportunity to impress.

Product designers, engineers and artists in their final year are taking centre stage at UWIC campuses.

The second time it has been staged, Cardiff Art and Design Week has this year wooed politicians and has begun to secure significant sponsorship.

Visual vision

Kicking off the week, Culture Minister Jenny Randerson made a rare commitment to the visual arts community.

"Students here make a real mark on the design world," she said.

"We undervalue your work on a day-to-day basis - but design is all around us.

Jenny Randerson set her sights on the design arts

"These students will be making a great contribution to the creative industries."

Some of their work will grace her office and that of the first minister at the Welsh Assembly, to be viewed by visiting dignitaries and members.

Across a broad range of UWIC's multimedia disciplines, students are now proficient in web design, Flash animation, and digital video as well as conventional graphics, engineering and textiles.

This year, their ideas have included a foot-and-mouth detection device, a moving photobook on animal treatment and an online design portfolio

Culture ambition

Cardiff Lord Mayor Russell Goodway will attend later in the week in the hope the event will offer added impetus for his council's bid to be named European Capital of Culture for 2008.

UWIC organisers claimed their event was "an integral part" of the bid, which was submitted to the UK Government on 28 March.

Work from some students is though-provoking

But the city remains without a significant, heavyweight space for contemporary artists to show their work after the local Centre for Visual Arts folded in 2000.

Some commentators believe that could work against the ambition.

Council involvement may be seen as an attempt to build bridges with the visual arts community in Wales.

Ms Randerson was keen to tell students and staff how crucial the neglected visual arts were to Wales' cultural output.

Design ideas

Bosses of the affiliated Cardiff 2008 bidding organisation will use Monday night to make a speech to the art students.

Free exhibitions and talks from animators and designers, including wind-up radio inventor Trevor Bayliss, will continue throughout the week.

But, for students, many of whom want to take their ideas to the commercial market, the week is all about expression and attention.

Product design student Adrian Jelf said: "The inspiration for us is problem solving.

"I am going travelling, hoping to see a bit of the world to get some inspiration. Then I'll come back and do some good design."