Graphic Design Students Sweep Addys

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Graphic design students in the School of Liberal Arts cleaned up at the Student Competition portion of the American Advertising Addy Awards and Big Wig Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation (AAF)-Corpus Christi Chapter. The awards show was held at the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center on Feb. 22.

All told, Islanders claimed four Gold Addys, five Silver Addys, and four Bronze Addys, as well as three Special Judges Awards and Best in Show. In addition to the individual winners, the Graphic Design Program won a Gold Addy and a Special Judges Award for its “One Day 2017-18 Youth Odyssey” consumer campaign.

“I am so very proud of our AAA Student Competition winners. Their dedication, hard work, and creativity resulted in the Graphic Design program at the Island University taking home 13 of the 16 awards bestowed at the American Advertising Awards, including all Top Awards and Best of Show,” said Nancy Miller, Graphic Design program coordinator and assistant professor. “The judges recognized our students’ undeniable creative talent, technical abilities and passion for visual communication. #tamuccdesign for the win!”

Sonny Martinez won a Gold Addy and Best of Show for his “Giddy Up Vintage Chopper Show” integrated brand identity campaign. Martinez also nabbed a Bronze Addy for a logo he created for Red Hat Coffee, an emerging cold brew coffee company based in San Diego, California.  

“I knew we had a solid design group going into the event, but I was pleasantly surprised to see how well our program did overall,” Martinez said. “This was the first time I ever won awards for my design work so it’s a big moment for me.”

The Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design degree fully launched in fall 2016. The new program has over 85 declared majors, Miller said.

“Graphic Design is a creative and inspiring process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas and information visually from client to audience,” she said.  

The focus of the Graphic Design curriculum is to educate and inform students of the impact design can make through the exploration of diverse problem-solving methodologies, innovative investigations, and creative research in all forms of visual communication. Through their studio work, Graphic Design majors address issues stressing social and cultural awareness, integration of new technology, and sustainable practices while being prepared to enter the evolving creative industry.

In January, the Graphic Design program was ranked in the Top 10 in Graphic Design on Animation Career Review’s 2019 list for Top 10 Graphic Design School Programs in Texas. ACR has published regional and national rankings since 2012; in 2015, the website added the category of graphic design schools across the U.S., not including two-year community college programs. According to its website, ACR’s criteria for its graphic design school rankings are based on academic reputation; admission selectivity; depth and breadth of the program; and value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness.

See below for a full list of Island University winners (categories are in parenthesis):

Gold Addy Award

• Antelmo A. Aguirre – “Texan Courage” commemorative posters (Poster Campaign)
• Catherine Derbala – “Healix Vitamins & Supplements” packaging
• Sonny Martinez – “Giddy Up Vintage Chopper Show” (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign)
• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Graphic Design program students – “ONE DAY 2017-18 Youth Odyssey” (Consumer Campaign)

Silver Addy Award

• Ruth Hannah Maldonado – “Metal Grind Coffee House” packaging
• Bradley Platz – “Tailored” packaging series
• Marcela Vasquez – “Wild Waves Won't Break Us Down” (Poster Campaign)
• Colton Warren – “Monster Milk” packaging
• Neiman Ward – “In Conversation with J. Cole” (Editorial Spread or Feature) 

Bronze Addy Award

• Sonny Martinez – “Red Hat Coffee Logo”
• Marcela Vasquez – “Victress Magazine”
• Marcela Vasquez – “Carnaval De Barranquilla” (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign)
• Colton Warren – “World Cosplay Summit Rebrand” (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign)

Special Judges Awards

• Most Shelf-Ready Packaging – Catherine Derbala, “Healix Vitamins & Supplements” packaging
• Event We Want To Go To – Marcela Vasquez, “Carnaval De Barranquilla” (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign)
• Campaign That Checks All The Boxes—Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi Graphic Design Program Students, “ONE DAY 2017-18 Youth Odyssey” (Consumer Campaign)

Best of Show

• Sonny Martinez – “Giddy Up Vintage Chopper Show” (Integrated Brand Identity Campaign)