BGSU graphic design students take home 2021 ADDY Awards

Gyona Rice and Lindsay West earn honors in Toledo American Advertising Federation's student competition

Two Bowling Green State University graphic design student projects won ADDY awards from the Toledo American Advertising Federation during the 2021 virtual awards ceremony on March 4.

Gyona Rice, who graduated in 2020, was awarded a Mosaic Award and a Gold Student ADDY award for her project titled "Mind Your Speech." Her project went on to win a Gold Student ADDY award at the AAF Regional ADDY competition. Lindsay West, a graphic design senior, won a Bronze Student ADDY award for her work titled "BGSUGD/AIGA Portfolio Review Day Materials."

Rice's work, which includes a website, an interactive game, posters and reflection cards, was created as part of her 2020 graphic design senior thesis courses. The Mosaic Award is awarded each year to recognize artists' commitment to diversity and inclusion. According to Rice's entry, the project "is a campaign and movement focused on the individual and how they think about people of color."

Through this campaign her aim was to ensure that more people recognize that microaggressions are unacceptable in our community, give more individuals the tools and resources to take practical action against microaggressions and other forms of racism, and empower individuals and predominately white institutions to prevent and respond effectively to microaggressions.

Rice worked with several BGSU graphic design faculty members as well as her primary thesis advisor, Associate Professor Lori Young.  

West's Bronze ADDY-winning project included concept strategy, brand identity, promotional materials and digital programs for the annual portfolio review day. She worked with Jenn Stucker, associate professor and division chair of graphic design, for an independent study course in Spring 2020. Because of COVID-19, West had to pivot the print design aspects of the work during the middle of the project.