Islanders Steal the Show at ADDY Awards, Win 19 Student Trophies

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Department of Art + Design at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi won a remarkable 19 American Advertising Awards at the local American Advertising Federation (AAF) competition. The “ADDY” Awards, which are held to recognize and reward creative excellence in the field of advertising, took place Feb. 28 at the Ortiz International Center.

Graphic Design senior Antelmo Aguirre won Best in Show, which includes a $500 AAF-CC Rising Star Cash Scholarship, for his magazine editorial spread on South Texas artist Josie Del Castillo. In addition, Aguirre won two gold and two bronze awards.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to have received this recognition. I think there’s a misconception about how much time and effort graphic designer puts into his or her work since the majority of it is digital, but there were a lot of sleepless nights and sacrifices of time with my wife, family, and friends,” Aguirre said. “I know that my fellow classmates put in just as much of themselves into their work as I did, producing exquisite work this year.” 

Senior Rhiannon Howard took home two gold awards, one bronze award and two special judge’s awards; fellow senior Bradley Platz won three silver awards and one bronze award. Fellow Islanders Danielle Galindo won a gold award and silver award, and Neiman Ward won two bronze awards. Ruth Maldonado won a silver award and a special judge’s award; Abraham Leija won a silver trophy and Sierra Lutz won a bronze award.

“It always feels great to have my work recognized, but it feels even sweeter when the projects I’ve put my all into receive the recognition. My social campaign #EndTheDisorder is a project close to my heart, and contains all original illustration, as do my magazine and cookbooks,” Howard said, referring to her anti-eating disorder campaign aimed at young girls. 

In addition, the Islander graphic design team that participated in the 2018 ONE DAY service project for Corpus Christi Family Counseling Service won a silver award for their multi-media awareness campaign, which promotes the nonprofit’s mission.

Nancy Miller, Assistant Professor of Art and the Program Coordinator for Graphic Design, said the awards ceremony marks a milestone for the young program, which has 98 declared majors this semester.

“Many of the senior award winners will graduate this semester as part of our program’s first graduating class. It was bittersweet to see them accept awards knowing that they will soon be gone,” said Miller. “I have personally worked with this group since their first semester, at the inception of our program in Fall 2016. It gives me great pride to have been a part of their design journey. I am excited to see what they will create in the world as talented Islander alumni.”