University Communications and Marketing receives design awards

Ohio University Communications and Marketing (UCM) won several University and College Designers Association Design Awards for its illustration, video, photography, print and digital design work.

“Our team was one of less than five University creative teams recognized with both of UCDA’s highest awards – gold and silver recognition – and it is truly a reflection of the extremely high level of talent we have among our University designers, photographers, videographers, writers, developers and content creators,” Vice President for Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver said. “We are honored to receive this recognition, and gratified to hear from students, faculty, staff and alumni that our messages are hitting home for them on a regular basis.”

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The team received a Gold Award for editorial photography of the School of Dance Performance “The Chronicles of the Fish Diaries,” and a Silver Award was awarded to Forever OHIO for the category of Video in Social Media. Awards of Excellence were awarded to the “Forever OHIO Graffiti Wall Takeover,” for Integrated Marketing Campaign, and OHIO Today for Illustration.

UCM also received an Award of Excellence for the In-House Portfolio Category, which features design, digital and video work produced by the entire UCM creative staff. The portfolio’s six entries include: The Chronicles of Fish Diaries, OHIO Today Ridges Map infographic, Forever OHIO Graffiti Wall Takeover, Forever OHIO social and digital ads, and a Diversity and Inclusion identity guide.

“UCDA’s national annual design awards is a competitive, peer-reviewed juried program that recognizes the best of exceptional work created for academia in the areas of design, design education, photography and illustration,” Sarah McDowell, Art Director, Advancement, said. 

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McDowell said 18 judges looked at 612 entries and presented 210 awards. There were eight Gold Awards, 24 Silver Awards and 178 Awards of Excellence. She said the winning entries will be displayed at the 2021 UCDA Design Awards show this October in Denver. The gallery will also be available virtually starting Oct. 2. 

“To sustain OHIO‘s future, it’s important that our brand platform and communication practices inspire OHIO’s diverse audience to engage with the institution,” McDowell said. “Being honored in the UCDA 2021 design awards program recognizes UCM’s creative staff as industry leaders who demonstrate excellence in creative work produced in support of education.”

McDowell said UCDA was founded in 1970 and is the only professional organization in North America that supports visual communication professionals who produce content for educational institutions. She said UCDA’s founder, Lee Kline, graduated from OHIO (BFA’62) and also worked there as a publication designer.