One of the city's budding graphic design students got the chance to see his artwork in pride of place on the high street when the new charity fashion boutique, Sprout, was officially opened by the charity's patron and guest of honour, Terry Waite.

Exeter College student Bobby Plows, 17, from Torrington, North Devon designed the charity shop's logo, signage and invites as part of his first year graphics project and, judging from the crowds that gathered on Saturday, has already had a positive impact with shoppers and staff alike. “It's great to see my work here being used in such a bold way and for such a great cause. There was a small group of students who were asked to come up with engaging designs that the charity shop could use and I was really pleased that the charity chose mine and I can now see it working for them.”

Sprout is the name of the latest venture for Emmaus, an international charity, started in France after the Second World war to provide a community for the homeless to work and eventually get back into normal life. Terry Waite, formerly the Archbishop of Canterbury's special envoy to the Lebanon in the late 1980s who was taken hostage himself for nearly five years as he negotiated others' release, has been patron of the charity for 21 years.

In an emotive speech on Saturday, he noted how the charity's original patron, the Archbishop Robert Runcie, had asked him to take over the role saying that Terry understood what it was to be 'kicked around'.

Opening the shop in front of well wishers, volunteers, staff from the college and companions from Bristol he said “As a hostage I was in the dark, surviving without comforts and books so I do know what it's like to be at the sharp end of life. Emmaus encourages people to leave state support and work as companions according to their capacity and eventually, through work and regaining their dignity, it helps people to get back into normal life. This most elegant and designed shop will raise awareness of Emmaus and also raise funds for us to set up a community here in Exeter. Our first shop was set up in Cambridge and it is now taking £1million a year.”

Kay Hammond, the boutique's retail manager, also praised the work of the volunteers and the Emmaus companions from Bristol who had prepared the shop ready for the opening with support from Tozers Solicitors saying “We contacted the college to find out if students would design a logo and style that reflected the work we are doing to support the development of people who are homeless. After briefing the students as part of their first year course I was delighted with the designs but Bobby's design stood out and we're really pleased now that it is on the shop front and throughout the store – it is fresh and modern, colourful but very stylish – exactly like the high end and designer second hand clothes we are selling.”