Cakes Brought To Life Through Illustration In DJCAD Graduate

Strawberry tarts and coffee cream towers are just some of the cakes which have become adorable characters in a partnership between a former art student and beloved Scottish bakery.

Illustrator Lauren Morsley, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone Collage of Art & Design, part of the University of Dundee, and Dundee and Fife based Fisher & Donaldson have together launched a new range of mechanise.

And to celebrate the occasion they are running a pop-up shop selling the new products alongside some of the famous cakes. It is open for one day only, Saturday 30 May, at DJCAD’s Art & Design Undergraduate Degree Show 2026.

Lauren, who graduated from DJCAD in 2018, grew up in Kirkcaldy and now lives in Dundee. She said, “It was such a lovely project to be involved with.

“I grew up with Fisher & Donalson and have so many memories of going to the Cupar store with my gran and when family came up from England to visit."

“It was fun to give the cakes characters and think about what their faces, arms and legs might look like, and how they might interact with each other. It was different to the other projects I’ve worked on."

“It’s great to be involved in something which brings together local artists and businesses, and coming back to DJCAD to show the work at Degree Show feels like a full-circle moment.”

Established in Fife in 1919, Fisher & Donaldson has been baking for over a century, with a love of the craft being handed down through five generations of the same family.

Chloe Milne, Retail Director and fifth generation of Fisher & Donaldson, said,

“We're a family business that's always believed baking should bring people together, so collaborating with a local creative like Lauren felt like a natural fit."

“We love that Lauren’s designs were all inspired by our customer’s favourite cakes. Her designs bring the bakery's cake counter to life in a wonderful new way."

“Popping up at Degree Show will let us celebrate this new range of merchandise and our shared love of something handmade and joyful – we can't wait to meet everyone on the day."

The annual Degree Show at DJCAD is an opportunity for final year undergraduate students to exhibit their work, celebrate their time at the University and launch their creative careers.

The work of 427 art, design and architecture students is on display throughout the University’s Matthew and Crawford buildings for family, friends and the public to view.

Kirsty Macari, Associate Vice Principal (Education) at the University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said,

“We’ve already had hundreds of people come and visit the huge range of artworks we have on display from our exceptionally talented students, and we’re looking forward to welcoming many more."

“The Degree Show launches careers as our students graduate into the professional art world and the Fisher & Donaldson pop-up shop highlights the opportunities which are available to them in our communities."

“This project exemplifies the value of strong local partnerships, supporting graduates to transition seamlessly into creative professional practice while contributing to vibrant and sustainable local communities.”

Degree Show 2026 is open until Sunday 31 May, from 10:00-16:00, with late openings until 20:00 on Thursday 28 May and Saturday 30 May.

The Fisher & Donaldson shop will be open on Saturday 30 May only, from 10:00-19:00, or until stocks sell out.