Maria Alvarado and Mystie Do are the first students to receive a national American Advertising Award while attending Texas Tech University.
Texas Tech University School of Art students Maria Alvarado and Mystie Do each won a national-level American Advertising Award (ADDY) from the American Advertising Federation. Their wins mark the first time a Texas Tech student has won a national ADDY while currently enrolled.
Alvarado received a silver ADDY for a stationery package created in a visual systems class. The project focused on branding elements for a restaurant, including business cards, menus and product labels.
"As a designer, it's easy to compare yourself to the thousands of other talented artists in the world and begin doubting your own abilities," Alvarado said. "Because of that, it's humbling and encouraging to receive recognition for something I've created all on my own."
Do won a silver ADDY for a promotional video she developed in a motion graphics class. The video, adapted from a print poster created by professor Dirk Fowler, was later chosen to commemorate the graphic design program's name change and is used for recruitment purposes.
"To win something this big is a bit overwhelming," Do said. "As an international student, winning an American national award means a lot to me, for several reasons. On one hand, my parents were very proud. This was also my first animation project. It definitely adds pressure for other animations to come. Finally, winning a national award for the graphic design promotional was a great way to put the School of Art name out there. It made me feel really good to be able to give back to Texas Tech University and especially, the graphic design program that has prepared me to create quality work."
Alvarado's and Do's entries were first submitted to Lubbock's local ADDY competition. From there, the entries competed at the district level, where their victories qualified them for the national competition. The national winners were announced Saturday at the national awards show in New Orleans.
"The American Advertising Awards draws more than 40,000 submissions per year from across the country," said Noel Zahler, dean of the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts. "For a student's work to move up through the local, regional and national competition and receive a prize is an outstanding accomplishment. We could not be more proud."
For a full list of winners, visit here.
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