Graphic Design students won Best of Show and 9 Gold & Silver awards at 2024 ADDY competition
Cincinnati State Graphic Design students dominated the student awards in the Cincinnati American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) for 2024, maintaining Cincinnati State’s decades-long history of top achievements in this prestigious competition.
Seven Cincinnati State students were recognized at the awards ceremony on March 1, 2024. In addition to the Student Best of Show award, Cincinnati State took home three Gold ADDY awards and six Silver ADDY awards. The only student award not won by Cincinnati State went to a student from Northern Kentucky University.
Graphic Design Professor Joel Kneuven said, “I’m incredibly proud of our students’ efforts. This group of students is very supportive of each other and always push each other to be better. Seeing seven different students win awards speaks to their collective dedication to the design profession.”
The Student Best of Show Award and a Gold ADDY for Logo Design went to Braizlee Browning for a logo she created in a 2D Graphics class taught by Graphic Design Professor Kathy Freed.
Braizlee said the logo for the music business 808 Studios “visually represents both the number 808 and three vinyl records positioned in front of a speaker.”
Braizlee added, “It was an honor to be selected from so many amazing projects in the competition, and I’m so proud of our school and our Graphic Design program. There is no greater feeling than finding what you love to do and are passionate about, and then be recognized for your work.”
To see all of the winning entries, you can click to view the online Awards Program booklet, and go to the Student Awards section, starting on p. 32.
Other Student Gold ADDY awards went to:
- Leighton Mitchell – Logo design for Rascal Roast Coffee. Project created in GRD 215, Applied 2D Design, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Allie Sebastian – Cover design for an edition of the book The Wizard of Oz. Project created in GRD 215, Applied 2D Design, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Allie said, “Winning was awesome, but watching my classmates storm the stage one by one was even better. Seeing all of our hard work pay off was super rewarding.”
Student Silver ADDY award winners included:
- Joseph Hickey – Packaging redesign for Combos snacks. Project created in GRD 240, Packaging Design, taught by Graphic Design instructor Oliver Meinerding.
- Oladayo Olakanmi – Special Event Materials: Blink 182 album release poster. Project created in GRD 215, Applied 2D Design, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Oladayo said, “I was proud but humbled by the experience. I didn’t expect to win, and it was really cool!”
- Virginia Russo – Typeface Design: The Hive Cocktail Lounge. Project created in GRD 150, Typography, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Jacob Taper – Special Event Materials: Helvetica Poster. Project created in GRD 150, Typography, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Allie Sebastian –
- Special Event Materials: The Weeknd Tour Poster. Project created in GRD 20, Portfolio Review, taught by Joel Knueven.
- Special Event Materials: Futura Poster. Project created in GRD 150, Typography, taught by Joel Knueven.
Cincinnati competition entries were evaluated by a team of advertising professionals from Austin (Texas), Chicago, London (England), and New York.
All Gold and Silver award winners from the local student competition will be forwarded to the District level, which includes entries from students in accredited colleges and universities throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
- ADDY winners from 15 District competitions throughout the U.S. will advance to the National ADDY competition, with winners announced in June.
- Cincinnati State Graphic Design students have won National Gold ADDY awards three times: Julia Kennedy in 2020, Dallas Ford in 2017 and Alli Bacon-Davis in 2008.
