ADDY Awards 2024: Excellence on Display

A total of 21 graphic designers and studio artists from Pensacola Christian College received awards at the 2024 American Advertising Awards (ADDY) Gala: 12 Gold and 13 Silver ADDYs, along with a Judge’s Choice award, and the top honor, student Best of Show.

This event, designed to celebrate outstanding advertising design, was the first step of a three-tier competition. Pieces winning a Gold award at the Gala advance to the district level with the potential to go on to the national. The Gala offers an opportunity for PCC students to showcase their talents with industry professionals and peers—and be recognized for their excellent work.

Showcasing Growth

As they pursue a future in advertising design, students benefit from expert review at the ADDY event. Recipient of both a Gold award and Best of Show, Kylie Hood (Graphic Design ’23), chose to enter her Roomie Cotton Co. branding because she felt it was her best work. “Having my entry awarded felt like a full-circle moment,” Kylie shared. “Someone outside of those who have seen my growth as a designer from freshman to senior year had deemed my work as well done.”

“It was truly an honor to be recognized at the ADDYs,” said MacKenzie Brink (Sr., MI) creator of The Cookie Jar cookie company that won Gold and Judge’s Choice. “As I enter the industry, I know my work has stood out among other young designers.” When The Cookie Jar was just an idea, MacKenzie knew right away that she wanted to create a brand to rival popular cookie shops. “I had a lot of fun incorporating the playful brand voice consistently with each piece. I wanted The Cookie Jar to promote community and happiness when you’re having a crummy day.”

For Geovany Hernandez (Jr., Honduras), earning a Gold for his Explore Honduras web design was an exhilarating experience. “It was a career-changing moment for me,” he admitted. “This acknowledgment served as a culmination of all the hard work I put into my design, marking a significant milestone in my journey as a graphic designer.” Inspired by his home country, Geovany incorporated the white and blue of the Honduran flag throughout his piece. “This design reflects my connection to my roots and my desire to showcase the beauty of Honduras.”

Motivated to Continue

Each winning piece represents a journey and a picture of hard work and determination, making the award a token of validation and encouragement. “This recognition from industry professionals is both humbling and motivating,” explained Geovany. “And it encourages me to keep pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve in graphic design.”

When she was a freshman, Addalin Fortenberry (Sr., GA) never would have believed she could win an ADDY. Now as a senior, when she entered her personal logo, Addy Clair Creations, Addalin won her first Silver. “I chose this piece because it’s my best logo design,” she commented. “I put more work into this than [any other] design piece. And it made me feel accomplished and proud of myself.”

Earning an ADDY award was not new to Rick Rivera (Graduate Assistant). In 2023, he won a Silver; in 2024, he earned a Gold for an advertising campaign, Olipop, a vibrant soft drink company. Rick began his undergraduate career studying computer science but is thankful he switched majors. “It’s such a good feeling to know I’ve made the right choice switching to graphic design and winning awards as a master’s [graphic design] student,” he said. “And it’s such a great blessing to have been taught by great faculty who have always been willing to help me become the best designer I can be.”

Reilly Varner (Sr., AR) won a Gold for her freeze-dried candy logo, Frinkles. “My goal was to create a fun, light-hearted, and cheerful brand that is sure to make anyone smile,” she explained. “[Winning gave me] a great sense of accomplishment in my work and has sparked a passion as I launch into my design career.” Reilly found the ADDY Gala a great opportunity to connect with other designers and companies in the Pensacola area.

Allie Rose (Sr., ME) earned Gold for a piece that pushed herself out of her comfort zone, using a simpler style in her Nova Skincare branding. “With this product packaging, I ventured toward luxurious, using classic fonts and dainty lines and elements,” she shared. A first-time winner at the ADDYs, Allie enjoyed a unique experience celebrating local talented designers. “I remember seeing students’ ADDY winners in past years and being in awe of the talent and professionalism of their projects. It’s amazing to look back now and see how far God has brought me and how much I’ve grown as a designer since then.” 

Congratulations to each student on their well-deserved awards!

If you’re in the Pensacola area, you can view the winning pieces yourself! After April 23, the winning ADDY pieces will be displayed in the VPA upper gallery through the end of the spring 2024 semester.