GDC National Scholarship Awards 2006

Transcription

1 GDC National Scholarship Awards 2006 is not only the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada, but it is also the fourth year of the GDC s National Scholarship Awards which are open to student members of the GDC who have at least one more year of studies to complete (minimum 2-year programs). The aim of the scholarships is to encourage and support students in taking their design education to a level that will better prepare them for professional practice. The awards are funded by some of Canada s most recognizable design-related companies, and for 2006 they included Veer, Adobe, Aquent and Applied Arts magazine. The judges are professional members of the GDC and included representatives from across Canada: Steve Freake mgdc (Yellowknife, NWT), Michael Surtees mgdc (Edmonton, AB), Susan Colberg mva, mgdc (Edmonton, AB), Peggy Cady fgdc (Victoria, BC) and Matt Warburton, fgdc (Vancouver, BC). Judging was hosted by Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton and was overseen by May Chung, mgdc (incoming VP Education), past-vp Paul Nishikawa mgdc and past-judge Dale Simonson mgdc. Students are required to be GDC members (of a Chapter or a Member at Large) to be eligible and submit a transcript of their grades, a letter of endorsement from an instructor, and personal letter outlining their design history and reasons for applying, and one project which best represents their abilities and potential (including a detailed criteria and rationale). This year the number of submissions increased and the quality was consistently higher overall than in previous years. Judges not only consider outstanding work eliciting excitement and inventiveness in the aesthetic choices made to serve an intended purpose, but also identify students who display potential. Thus with the support and encouragement given these students, they will hopefully mature in their understanding of the possibilities in design and their role as professionals practitioners. The letters from the students were influential in judges decisions, where community involvement, and passion for design outside of the classroom was taken into consideration. Indeed, it was encouraging to see many students put an equivalent amount of work into the design and concept of their overall package as well as the specific school project that comprised their entry. Sue Colberg summarized the feelings of the judges, saying, The winning submissions show that sound research creates strong content, and that sophisticated visuals come, in part, out of a thorough understanding of the subject matter and the communication situation. Dean McNeill mgdc, National President stated, "Veer, Adobe, Applied Arts and Aquent donated the funds for this scholarship program and the GDC is proud that these forward-thinking companies continue to offer their support for the future of design in Canada. Thanks to them, we are pleased to present the following recipients of the 2006 GDC National Scholarship Awards. Judging photos: Michael Surtees

2 Photography of student projects: Bruce Law Photography, Vancouver $1,500 Veer GDC Scholarship: Emily Tu (York University, Toronto, ON) project title: Sidewalks instructor: Mary Ann Maruska rgd, fgdc Emily s additional experience of furthering her education through a year long exchange at Bauhaus University in Germany is readily apparent in this stunning editorial design project. The sensitivity applied to the images, typography and grid is at a very high level, with both design concepts being well integrated, appropriate and extremely appealing to the intended audience. Her goal of evoking a sense of history and nostalgia as well as a sense of the contemporary nature of Canadian cities comes across in a sophisticated and intelligent design standing out from the rest of the submissions in the eyes of all the judges. Emily has joined the Toronto Public Space Committee, further evidence of her dedication to refining her abilities and her desire to apply her skill as a designer in a positive manner to her community.

3 $1,000 Veer GDC Scholarship: Jessica Palmer (Capilano College, North Vancouver, BC) project title: Drug Facts instructor: Carol Aitken Jessica demonstrates an understanding of the power of design in her introductory letter stating, Concept is what design is all about to me. Making people take a second look at what you are trying to say. Jessica achieved this goal in her submission, which cleverly communicates the facts on various drugs in a manner similar to the nutrition data on cereal boxes. The result shows a strong concept using an effective metaphor to convey information on illegal drugs. The target audience is comprised of teenagers and their parents so the images of the drugs are large, distinct, and tastefully cropped, while the text does not pull any punches. Perhaps a few of the negative aspects of the drugs are left out, but the descriptions for the reasons why kids take drugs make it a very useful communication tool for both audiences it doesn t preach, it merely informs. It is a complex and challenging project and Jessica fulfilled the brief with style and skill.

4 $1,000 Applied Arts GDC Scholarship: Kelsey Arndt (University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB) project title: Handlettering instructor: Sue Colberg mgdc The execution of Kelsey s submission frames the subject matter quite well and clearly communicates the thorough research she put into the project. The piece is visually stimulating with good pacing to draw the reader through the booklet. The judges also responded strongly to the use of tactile typography (hand lettering), as well as her choice of paper and binding techniques. As Kelsey stated in her rationale, Being trained on the computer to produce letterforms, we often forget how beautiful our own scribbles are. Sometimes the most interesting pieces of a project are the first preliminary notes and sketches we produce to get the ball rolling.

5 $1,000 Aquent GDC Scholarship: Joanne Lee (Nova Scotia College of Art & Design) project title: Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia instructor: Ludwig Scharfe Joanne s goal with her submission was to stimulate and encourage exposure of, and appreciation for, the literary, artistic, educational, scientific, and athletic achievements of black people in Nova Scotia. This project demonstrates very thorough background research and strong application of the design process. It was for this reason that the jurors felt this applicant shows extremely high potential for future success. The process by which Joanne arrived at her design solutions was readily apparent through the organized research presented. In addition, her success in applying the design solution to the actual venue is commendable. Joanne s desire to venture out and do collaborative work for different clients is already well underway to being fulfilled.

6 $1,000 Adobe GDC Scholarship: Stephanie Campbell (York University/Sheridan Institute) project title: Silent Invasion of the Inuit World Canada Post Stamp Series instructor: Mary Ann Maruska rgd, fgdc Stephanie acknowledges that design is in her genes, since her grandfather who was a graphic artist and sign painter in Jamaica. Her years as a youth were spent expanding her family's business and steering signage treatments away from Comic Sans to more appropriate typefaces. The stamp series illustrating the impact of modern culture on Canada s north and the Inuit is striking in its simplicity and its multi-layered sophistication. The resulting work is quite unique and appropriate in concept. It combines classic, strong design, and typography with clear and well chosen appropriate graphic symbolism, all of which reflects cultural sensitivity. The Inuit influenced animal 'art' symbols are carefully framed within modern graphic images representing polar ice flows and the encroachment of southern culture and pollution. Stephanie's thoughtfulness in her design solution is evident in her rationale for the use of a chemical hazard symbol as part of the postmark. Although a more recognized symbol such as the 'skull and crossbones' would indicate a more obvious toxicity, the threat is neither visible nor obvious and thus would be inappropriate and overstated.