Graphic Design student Teagan Ruttimann’s project, The Fear Series: Short Stories on Horror, received two 2023 student awards from RGD. Photo: RGD
Open to students enrolled in graphic design and related programs across Canada, the awards program brings industry professionals together with emerging designers to promote excellence and encourage the next generation of design professionals to the highest levels of creativity, innovation and conceptualization.
Graphic Design student Teagan Ruttimann was recognized with both the Artista Award for 1st Year Student and the Domtar Award for Print Design for The Fear Series: Short Stories on Horror project. The book design replicates classic literature publication styles to the theme of fear by strategically incorporating materials, images and layouts that evoke an unsettling atmosphere without deviating too far from conventional design elements.
Bachelor of Design student Natalie Zuk received the Forge Media Award for UX Design for Thrive, an inclusive application offering plant care support. The design seeks to boost user engagement and retention by employing design psychology and dark UX patterns while prioritizing functionality and branding.
Recent Graphic Design graduate Chris Brown was honoured with the Modern Design Academy Award for an animated title sequence to fictional television series Nocturnal. The piece uses an animation style inspired by the abstract, symbolic sequences of Saul Bass, a famous graphic designer who created title sequences for several iconic films. Brown added digital effects that mimic the imperfections of old film transfers combined with bold type and modern design sensibilities to simultaneously evoke contemporary and nostalgic feelings. Nocturnal was also recognized with an Applied Arts Student Award earlier this year.
Bachelor of Design students Vienne Seto and Justin Pinheiro received the Zulu Alpha Kilo Award for Advertising Design for their project, Baseline. Inspired by words like growth, expansion and non-linearity, the advertisement promotes Conestoga’s 2023 design graduation showcase with math references and topographic maps to symbolize peaks and exponential growth, while the dynamic collages convey success and creativity.
In addition to monetary prizes sponsored by industry partners, winners will also have their work profiled across RGD communication channels and receive free RGD membership.
More than 1,150 submissions were reviewed and scored by panels of industry experts. Judges also awarded honourable mentions to Conestoga students:
- Brooklyn Louis, Bachelor of Design -- Forge Media Award for UX Design
- Alli Thompson, Graphic Design -- Haft2 Award for Colour
A full list of winners and honourable mentions is available through RGD.
RGD sets professional standards for more than 4,000 registered Canadian design practitioners, including firm owners, freelancers, managers, educators and students. Those permitted to use the RGD designation have met industry standards that include specific levels of education and experience.
To learn more about Conestoga’s Bachelor of Design (Honours) program and Graphic Design advanced diploma program, visit the School of Creative Industries.