VCD NEWS :: Current News
Glyphix Wins Outstanding Achievement for School of Visual Communication Design Site
In the spring of 2008, Glyphix was awarded Outstanding Achievement for excellence in the design, development and implementation of the School of Visual Communication Design Site.
The importance of this award cannot be understated, as it is an international competition judged by leading web-related professionals. "This award," states Valora Renicker, Creative Director of Glyphix, "gives us recognition that all clients can appreciate and understand, without the need to try to explain the value of our design work in unfamiliar technical terms."
"Our students devoted a great deal of time to the site. They researched the competition, surveyed current students and almuni, applied their creative energies to the design and Flash animation, and programmed it for maximum compatibility. Our web instructors helped with consulting, our Interim Director and new Director assisted with approvals and content. This was really a group effort by all levels of the School of VCD. Many thanks go to Lee Zelenak, who devoted several semesters to it, in order to see it through. We even tested the site at the KSU Usability Lab with the assistance of Professor David Robins in the IAKM program."
Information about the award process can be found on the IMA web site, from which the following information is gathered:
"The honor, granted by the Interactive Media Awards, recognizes that the project met and surpassed the standards of excellence that comprise the web's most professional work. The judging consisted of various criteria, including design, usability, innovation in technical features, standards compliance and content. In order to win this award level, the site had to meet strict guidelines in each area - an achievement only a fraction of sites in the IMA competition earn each year.
To view the online award(s) for this site, please visit:
http://www.interactivemediaawards.com/winners/certificate.asp?param=52525&cat=1
To view the Glyphix award gallery page:
http://www.interactivemediaawards.com/winners/gallery.asp?id=36069
About the Interactive Media Awards
The Interactive Media Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement. Sponsored by the Interactive Media Council, Inc., a nonprofit organization of leading web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals, the competition seeks to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet."
For more information visit http://www.interactivemediaawards.com.
Jun. 30. 2008. Back to Headlines
Glyphix Student Project wins Gold ADDY at District Level
The KSU Alumni Relations Membership Campaign won a Gold Award at the District ADDY level in the Student Category for Mixed Media Campaigns. Congratulations to the designers, all recent graduates of the School of VCD: Chris Haas, Mike Fofrich and Kristi Underwood. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industry association conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. The KSU VCD entry now proceeds to the National level.
The Campaign was created to appeal to KSU graduating seniors to inform them of the benefits of joining the Alumni Association. The concept was created around the theme of transitioning between college life and work life. Using the international symbols for man and woman, activities of both lifestyles are depicted. Some of the components of the campaign included door hangers as take-aways from the Grad Fair, a unique mailer that is sent in diplomas, and short animated graphic files that are sent via email.
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Apr. 16. 2008. Back to Headlines
VCD Annual Senior Portfolio Show
Open Gallery: Tuesday April 15th – Friday 18th
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
School of Art Gallery
Reception: Friday April 18th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
School of Art Gallery
www.vcdseniorshow.com
Apr. 15. 2008. Back to Headlines
David Middleton on SEGD board
David Middleton has been elected to the National Board of Directors of the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers (SEGD).
David is serving as Chair of the Academic Education Committee.
Environmental Graphic Design embraces many design disciplines including graphic, architectural, interior, landscape, and industrial design, all concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and information, and shaping the idea of place.
Mar. 31. 2008. Back to Headlines
Glyphix Studio is Accepting Applications
Glyphix, the award-winning student design studio in the School of VCD, provides the opportunity to work with clients in a real-world setting. Clients come from the University community as well as Ohio businesses and non-profit organizations. Some examples of work from the studio can be seen at www.kentglyphix.org The studio is located in room 213A of the Art Building near the main lobby.
Glyphix is now accepting applications for the 2008–2009 academic year. Students must be graduate or senior level students (pass Junior Review May 2008), VCD majors, and have approval of the VCD Faculty (A list of applicants will be submitted to the faculty. No need to obtain individual approval.) Download the application and get more information from the Glyphix page.
Environmental Graphic Design 2008
The Flats
5th Annual Kent/SEGD Summer Workshop
June 9–13, June 16–20, 2008
4 credit hours
Undergraduate $1589 / Graduate $1705 *
Download 2008 application form (pdf)
The Kent State Summer Workshop in Environmental Graphic Design is an annual event in June focusing on the marriage between identity, wayfinding, interpretation and environmental graphic design. The workshop is now in its fifth year and has been developed with the following goals:
- Encourage collaboration between design students
- Develop an understanding of the practice of environmental graphic design
- Learn about vigorous design process including research and site analysis, conceptual design, design analysis and documentation.
This year's site of study is “The Flats” in downtown Cleveland. Cleveland’s riverfront, long dominated by industry and a source of shame after the Cuyahoga River caught fire in the 1950s and 1960s, is now being refashioned as a place for residents and visitors to see and touch the water. The upper Flats neighborhood, in particular, is one of the most compelling places in Northeast Ohio—the place where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie. With its historic buildings, bridges, barge traffic and steep hills, it has long captured the imagination of locals and visitors. The area now has a chance to achieve its full potential as a 24–hour neighborhood, with multiple private and public developments planned or underway.
The workshop features leading design professionals, who will provide lectures and instruction on different topics each day. It is open to all students and professionals with three or more years of graphic design, industrial design, interior design, architecture or landscape architecture background.
Visiting Instructors – Week 1
- Wayne Hunt, Hunt Design, Los Angeles
- Craig Berger, Education Director SEGD, Philadelphia
- Megan Fath, Conifer, Chicago
- Santiago Crespo, Little, Charlotte
- Greg Peckham, Executive Director, Cleveland Public Art
- Justin Glanville, Project Director, Building Cleveland by Design
Visiting Instructors – Week 2
- Gretchen Coss, Gallagher & Associates, Washington D.C
- George Lim, Carter & Burgess, Denver
- Terry Schwarz, Paul Vernon and Gauri Torgalkar, Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
- Gary Stemler, Nordquist Sign Company, Minneapolis
Resident Faculty
- David Middleton, VCD Associate Professor, Kent State University
Other EGD instructors and lecturers to be announced. Please visit the KSUCDA page for updates, workshop application, and other information.
For more information about environmental graphic design, visit the SEGD Web site. Costs for each workshop, which includes 02–04 semester credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate level and some supplies and materials. Food, transportation and housing are not included.
Download 2008 application form (pdf)
* Tuition subject to change
Feb 25. 2008. Back to Headlines
New Undergraduate Academic Advisors Spring 2008
Advising for Undergraduate VCD Students is now being handled by Professor Joan Inderhees. For Photo-Illustration students, advising is now being handled by Professor Jaime Kennedy. Graduate and post–undergraduate students should contact Professor Steve Timbrook. Schedule an appointment online on the Online Advisor Appointment Scheduling site.
Prof. Inderhees
jinderhe@kent.edu
330.673.9708
Prof. Kennedy
jkenned8@kent.edu
330.672.9724
Prof. Timbrook
stimbroo@kent.edu
330.672.1416
Feb 18. 2008. Back to Headlines
2008 ADDY Awards Recipients
Current and former Glyphix students were honored to receive numerous ADDY Awards from the Advertising Federation of Greater Akron at the award ceremony held March 12, 2008. Projects which won in the Professional category competed against those submitted by professional design and advertising firms in the greater Akron Area. In the Student category, designs were awarded both Gold and Silver ADDYS. The award-winning designs have been advanced to the District Level for judging. Congratulations to the following students and alumni!
Lee Zelenak and Mike Fofrich received a Silver ADDY in the Professional category for their work on the Hudson Montessori School playground appeal brochure.
The VCD website also won a Silver ADDY in the Professional category. Lee Zelenak, Chris Haas, and Mike Fofrich played a large part in the design of the final site, which took several semesters to complete. Assisting in research and development of the website were Mike Watson, Chris Surak and Kelly Dorsey. Programming was done by David Roll.
Mike Fofrich, Kristie Underwood, and Chris Haas received a Gold award for their work on the Kent State University Alumni Relations Membership Campaign.
David Roll and Niki Katz received a Silver award for their work on the Green Energy Ohio Solar Tour Guide article layout: “Waste To Energy Reinvented.”
Kaitlyn Ord, Jess Mellen, and Dusty Steinbrink received a Silver award for their work on The Intergenerational School Annual Report.
For further questions or information, please contact Valora Renicker, Assistant Professor in the School of Visual Communication Design and the Creative Director of the student-staffed Glyphix, at vrenicke@kent.edu or 330-672-2854.
Mar. 29. 2008. Back to Headlines
VCD Student First Runner Up in AIGA Command X Design Reality Show!
Two VCD combined degree students, Kelly Dorsey and Mike Burton entered the AIGA Design competition and were among only seven contestants accepted to compete in a live "reality show" style design-off. The event was held during the AIGA NEXT conference October 11–14, 2007 in Denver, Colorado to identify “the next great designer.” Prior to the conference, potential contestants were required to submit samples of their design work and a statement about why they should participate.
Once accepted, contestants had to submit a re-design of the Denver Broncos logo. Upon reaching the first day of the conference, two competitors were eliminated, one of whom was Mike. [Editor's note: many conference attendees felt that his design should have made it to the second round. See what you think of the competition on the AIGA site (Link below.)]
Designing took place in the Design Fair at the Command X station, where attendees could walk up and see what the designers were working on. The judging took place on the main stage in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 attendees. Judges included Noreen Morioka of Adams Morioka, Bonnie Siegler and Emily Oberman of Number 17, Brian Collins of Ogilvy & Mather, and guest judge for a day Michael Vanderbyl of Vanderbyl Design. It was hosted by Michael Beirut of Pentagram.
On day two, the remaining five competitors were assigned the task of redesigning the packaging for Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick. Following the elimination of two more designers, Kelly remained in the running! Day three found the remaining three contestants on stage being judged by not only the jury of designers, but the audience as well. The assignment was to design a campaign to get people aged 18 to 24 to vote. Kelly had this to say about her experience, "We had less than a day to do each assignment given at the conference. A lot of people said that it was their favorite part of the conference because it was so silly at times, but also just because they could really empathize with us for having to present our solutions in front of such a large audience of fellow designers. Personally, it was the most terrifying and exhilarating experience of my life. I made so many great contacts and friends. There was a ton of pressure, but we were like celebrities. It was just completely absurd and hilarious."
Kelly was declared First Runner up and received $500, Mike received an iPod Nano. All contestants will be mentioned in an upcoming STEP Inside Design magazine. Throughout the past several years, Kelly and Mike have superbly represented themselves and the School of VCD with their great design skills and enthusiasm for their work. We are fortunate to have had them in our program and know that they are well on their way to becoming the next great designers of their generation!
Visit the AIGA Command X web page for a list of winners and a description of the competition, complete with pdfs of the designs.
A photograph by student Lindsay Satzger was chosen as a finalist in a national competition for college photographers. The image was produced while taking one of the new digital Photography courses, taught by Christopher Ransom. Her work was selected from 28,000 entries, (only 116 photographers were picked as finalists).The photo (below) appears in the book: Photographers Forum, 2007 Best of College Photography Annual by Serbin Communications. Congratulations Lindsay!
(click to enlarge)
Kent State Students and Alumni Featured in Print Magazine Regional Design Annual
A recent issue of one of the industry's premier design periodicals has recognized submissions for excellent design by Kent State VCD students and alumni. Print's Regional Design Annual, features the best design in the country. The annual issue, published annually, contained work by student Mike Burton, of Little Jacket, Andy Taray, alumnus and Principle of Ohio Boy Design, and alumna Amy Tisi. If you're looking for the work in the issued, Mike and Andy's design appears in the "Midwest" section, and Amy's is in the "Rest of the West" section. Congratulations to all three!
AIGA Cleveland Awards and Recognition
Professor Emeritus, Eric May, was recognized for his long service and dedication to the field. Eric is an expert calligrapher, woodcut illustrator, fine art book artist, and letterpress authority. Beloved by former students, many of whom call him their mentor, it was well-deserved award. The evening held a special moment when President Jenn Visock-O'Grady asked for a show of hands of those who had had Eric as an instructor. In an amazing display of raised arms followed by hearty applause, those present looked about to witness a truly touching moment. It served as a strong visual representation of the tremendous effect Eric has had on so many.
Kent State University's School of Visual Communication Design alumni and students were recognized for their outstanding quality of work as well. Of particular note, Alumni Mike Burton took home several Judges Choice Awards for his work with Little Jacket, and the Best of Student Work Award was given to Kevin Wight for his BFA Senior Project.
KSU VCD students garnered several awards in the student competition: Carolyn Kelly won a Merit award for her poster series, Kayne Toukonen won a Merit Award for a packaging program, and the entire VCD Environmental Graphic Design class won a Merit Award for their senior living proposal. Students in David Middleton’s class included Cathy Sosey, Krystle Klink, Lindsay Satzger, Evan Richards, Kelly Dorsey, Lee Zelenak, Kayne Toukonen, Zak Kruszynski, David Roll, Sharon McMullen, Rick Salsberry, Josh Levan, Katie Talbott, Kaitlyn Ord and Deanna D’Alesio.
Senior Tom Madrilejos Designs for Metropolis.
For his summer internship, Tom Madrilejos worked at Metropolis magazine as their first ever design intern. Tom was entrusted to create designs for several pages which were listed in the publication with a short biography about him.
About his intership, Tom had the following comments: “The internship provided me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of putting together a magazine. (Fortunately, the magazine was one I already admired and periodically stole from my parents' mailbox.) I mainly worked with the design and photo departments, though I was graciously primed with some lessons in production, marketing, and editorial. I was given a nice range of tasks, from spot illustrations to calling in artwork, to the more menial tasks of photo retouching/diagram retracing and issue archiving, then laying out stickers and ads and invites, eventually earning the slightly more involved tasks of conceptualizing and designing pages in the magazine.”
I could probably go on – at great length – about this wonderful experience,... it was truly a positive experience and I am perfectly content coming home with a few new skills, a new friend or two, and an overwhelming appreciation for design.
VCD students have had internships at well-known places throughout the country. Read more of Tom's personal account and others on the Internship page: more.
VCD Alumni “Makes” the Cover
KSU VCD alumni continue to maintain a presence in the design world, with Andy Taray's terrific cover illustration for the October 2007 issue of Metropolis magazine (pictured above). By coincidence, this is the same issue that senior Tom Madrilejos helped to design. Andy is an adjunct professor for the School of VCD, as well as principle of Ohio Boy Design.
Regarding Andy's design, the creative director said in his report ‘Behind the cover,’ “...We went with the less conventional choice because of its visual and conceptual strength”.
Senior Gina Moraco Awarded AAF Scholarship.
In the spring of 2007, then-junior VCD student Gina Moraco was awarded the Rob Spademan Scholarship and an AAF-Cleveland Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. The American Advertising Federation, Cleveland Chapter reviews applications and awards scholarships to deserving Ohio residents attending Ohio schools and majoring in advertising or other aspects of business communications.
Now a senior, and preparing to graduate in May 2008, Gina serves as co-President of the KSU Student chapter of AIGA and is a member of the Glyphix design studio. “Gina is always responsible and a pleasure to work with,” says Valora Renicker, Creative Director of Glyphix. “Her positive attitude and excellent design skills have been a tremendous asset to the team this year. Her future employer will be extremely fortunate to have her on board!”
VCD 2007 American Greetings Scholarship Awards
The 2007 VCD Portfolio show was a huge success! The well-attended opening was held the evening of Friday, April 6 in the Main Gallery of the School of Art. Under the direction of Assistant Professor John Powell, the students worked very diligently on their graduating portfolios all semester and put together a fine show. In addition to the "books" of their work which graduates will show to potential employers, the gallery space held posters, illustrations, 3D, and multimedia design displays. Parents, friends, faculty and administrators from the College of CCI were on hand to congratulate the students on completing one of the milestones in the VCD program.
Of all the BFA and Master's degree candidates represented in the show, several outstanding students received awards with cash values which are sponsored by the American Greetings Corporation. The awards were designed and printed in the VCD letterpress lab by Emeritus Professor, Eric May.
Recipients of the awards:
Top Portfolio
Kelly Dorsey
Leadership Award
Lindsay Satzger
Excellence in Illustration
Carolyn Kelly
Rising Star Award (For a Junior)
Brittany Spano
Graduate Excellence Award
Anne Berry
Amir Khosravi
L to R the students are Kelly Dorsey, Anne Berry, Carolyn Kelly, Lindsay Satzger, Amir Khosravi. (Not pictured: Britt Spano.)
VCD Junior Awarded Internship in NYC
Britt Spano, a VCD junior, has been selected by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) for the Helena Rubinstein Summer Internship Program. We are all very proud of her! “I found out about the internship from a poster by the Art History offices (because I am a minor) so I checked online to see if they took on designers,” said Britt. ‘Eureka! To apply I had to send five work samples, write three essays, have two letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a resume. I have had in in my head for a while now that I wanted to participate in the modern/fine arts community doing design work in museums and galleries. I will be working closely under two supervisors and that's the team. I'll be working on posters, brochures, signage, publications, etc. with the supervisors. I was warned that it will be very busy and very hands on... I said that I'm OK with that.. "Busy" is my middle name. Not only is this surreal, but its paid!”
The Museum's internship program provides the selected individual with practical work experience and in-depth training in the museum profession. Working under the supervision of the Museum's professional staff, interns contribute to timely projects, gain insight into the functions of individual departments, and learn about the Museum's various collections, exhibitions, and programs for visitors. During the summer term, weekly lectures with the Museum's professional staff are supplemented by field trips to other museums, galleries, foundations, corporate collections, private collections, alternative spaces, nonprofit organizations, and artists' studios. These visits provide interns with opportunities to examine the roles, functions, and activities of a wide range of art professionals and institutions.
It certainly sounds like an intense and amazing opportunity – congratulations Britt!
On February 23, 2007, Kent State University students from the School of Visual Communication Design received a total of five Addy Awards from the Advertising Federation of Greater Akron. This competition honors creative excellence within the advertising industry. Local Addy awards are given in 15 categories and can advance to the district and national levels.
Graduate Student Kelly Dorsey won a Silver award in the Student category for her design of a summer workshop poster for the School of VCD. Glyphix, the student design studio in VCD, received two Silver level awards in the Student category, as well as garnering two of the three Judge's Choice Awards for the overall competition. Graduate student Lee Zelenak was honored with Kelly Dorsey (Silver and Judge's Choice) for the design of a poster promoting the School's graduate program. The other Judge's choice award and a Silver award was received by the team responsible for a printed brochure and a short multi-media piece for the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising 2006 Fashion Show. That team was comprised of Lee Zelenak, and undergraduate students Mike Fofrich, Kristi Underwood, and Rachel Adkins.
In his comment about the VCD Graduate Program Promotional Poster, Judge Jon Eslinger stated, "There is rarely a case of less is more that will be more evident than this poster. The simple use of two words to make a profound statement made this poster not only effective, but unique,'' said Eslinger, art director at Vision Creative in Lansing, Mich.
The Judges' Choice Award from Tom Hayes was awarded for the Fashion Show Brochure and Video. Mr. Hayes is president of the Treasure Coast Ad Fed and account executive at WPEC News 12 in West Palm Beach, Fla.
"The students work hard to produce top-level design solutions all the time. This competition gives the individual award winners, as well as other students in the our School, an important validation of their studies. To have their efforts recognized so highly at a professional level competition is a wonderful opportunity for us to share information about our excellent program with the Kent State community and beyond," said Valora Renicker, Creative Director of Glyphix.
VCD Graduates in Metropolis Magazine
Nick Caruso and Andy Taray, two VCD graduates, were featured in the October 2006 issue of Metropolis Magazine for their "City of" series of shirts promoting regional pride. The two graduates formed their company, Campfire, with School of Art Graduate Micah Kraus in August of 2005. www.wearecampfire.com
