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Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2003 Alumnus Willy Wong contributes to NYCxDESIGN plans for citywide events

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Leona Guidace | Comments (0)

Willy Wong, an ADAA winner from 2003 for his experimental identity series called The Weather Resort, has been making impact with plans for NYCxDESIGN’s celebration of design.

Willy Wong, Chief Creative Officer at NYC & Company and ADAA 2003 alumnus

Willy Wong, Chief Creative Officer at NYC & Company and ADAA 2003 alumnus

Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2003 alumnus, Willy Wong is now the Chief Creative Officer at NYC & Company, which is the City of New York’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization.  Willy also serves on NYCxDESIGN, which is a collaboration among the City Council, Mayor’s Office, City agencies and a steering committee.  The steering committee is composed of some of the City’s most renowned design institutions, educators, entrepreneurs, curators, and designers. 

 

NYCxDESIGN organizes New York City’s inaugural citywide event to showcase and promote design in all disciplines. The citywide events will be held from Friday, May 10, through Tuesday, May 21, 2013 and will collectively celebrate New York City’s contributions to the evolution of design.  Events will be hosted at a multitude of venues across all five New York boroughs, including large conventions, galleries, design institutions, and public parks.  NYCxDESIGN will bring visibility, education, and inspiring dialogue to the forefront of the city’s experience, increasing cultural awareness and appreciation for design of all disciplines.content-01

 

Wong began contributing to NYCxDESIGN because of his passion to, “…support an incredibly valuable industry and thriving community, to expand the local economy and job base, and ultimately to help the City and the world function and look that much better. As the world’s stage, NYC is where design students, designers and those who love design from every corner of the globe all aspire to see, feel, build, share and shine. And it’s an ecosystem that thrives on cross pollination between disciplines.”

 

content-02 (1)Wong also added that in NYC, design permeates through all boroughs, “…from the sustainably manufactured office furniture that decorate the interiors of Manhattan’s skyscrapers, to the urban grid on which they sit; from the asymmetrical earrings that were 3D printed in Queen’s Long Island City, then featured in a mobile app, which was developed in the Flatiron district, using bespoke web fonts crafted in Brooklyn…”

 

Wong is also President of AIGA/NY, and has been dynamic in broadening community involvement and providing opportunities for educational mentorship during the NYCxDESIGN events.  Cultural centers, such as the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center in Harlem and The Museum of Arts and Design, will have sessions available for design enthusiasts of all ages, including children.  The Times Square Alliance will partner with AIGA/NY’s Mentoring Program, by hosting a culminating project created by students from the New York City High School of Art and Design. 

NYCxDESIGN planning for citywide events

NYCxDESIGN planning for citywide events

 

With the ADAA offering a more robust and ambitious mentorship program in 2013, we’re thrilled to share the NYCxDESIGN opportunities with ADAA alumni and extended community. 

 

 

To explore more about NYCxDESIGN go to:  http://nycxdesign.com/

Check out www.willywong.com or follow @wwong

Adobe Design Achievement Awards – Alumni Feature

Posted on February 15, 2013 by jmilovic | Comments (0)

Kirsten Southwell, ADAA 2012 Winner of Mobile Design category, shares her experience with us….

 

As designers, we’re always looking for ways to better our work, to evolve as artists and individuals. We grow up, mature, and our understanding of great design grows along with us.

Kirsten Southwell with ADAA 2012 trophy for Mobile Design category

Kirsten Southwell with ADAA 2012 trophy for Mobile Design category

Kirsten Southwell, North Carolina State University and ADAA 2012 winner of Mobile Design category, shared her perspective of the ADAA experience in Toronto. Her story demonstrates how sometimes, the little things become most memorable –  when our colleagues share in our achievement, when our friends share in our joy, and when our professors lift us up, are the times when we truly grow and connect to our community.

 

“Since becoming an ADAA winner, I think I’ve gained a lot of perspective about my own abilities as a designer, as well as a greater appreciation for all of the wonderful support I have as an aspiring professional. I think that the place I have found the most support has been from the studio that I work for, Second Story Interactive Studios.  

For example, within an hour of winning the ADAA award, I was extremely touched to receive a phone call from David Waingarten, a Creative Director at Second Story. David temporarily derailed a meeting he was in, just to congratulate me and share the news with the rest of the studio.  It was a simple gesture, but it became obvious to me, that the individuals I work with enjoy sharing in my success in a way that is far more personal than by simply acknowledging it.

Kirsten hanging a Second Story logo in her studio as an image experiment

Kirsten hanging a Second Story logo in the studio as an image experiment

I was also surprised by how my alma mater, North Carolina State University, took such pride in my achievement. I received emails from all of the professors in the Graphic Design department!  Not only that, but someone thoughtfully took the time to create a large poster, announcing my achievement, then hung it up in the main breezeway of the College of Design.

A poster created to celebrate Kirsten's profile in the ADAA Gallery

A poster created to celebrate Kirsten’s achievement and profile in the ADAA Gallery

 

 

 

 

I feel my education is invaluable. I am thrilled that I have an opportunity to share the ADAA honor with the program—and specifically the faculty and TA’s—who gave so much of their time and effort to help shape the designer that I’ve become.

My friends have been really excited for me. I think it has been a little eye-opening for some of them to get a bigger understanding and context of the work that I do.  My friend, Chris, came all the way to Toronto to attend the DesignThinkers conference and share in the moment with me. He confided that after they called my name to come on stage, his heart didn’t stop racing for a few minutes later. I found that incredibly endearing that he literally experienced my anxiety – for me.

As far as what I have learned as an artist… I’ve learned the value of making an effort and taking a chance to claim recognition, and become distinguished for your work. I work at an award winning studio, and it’s great to contribute to projects collaboratively. However, receiving individual acknowledgement can only empower you, validate you, and heighten your sense of awareness for the designer that can become.

Kirsten exploring with GIF 2D and 3D, along with colleague, Pillipe Laurlheret, in the studio

Kirsten’s recent exploration, working with GIF 2D and 3D, along with colleague, Pillipe Laurlheret, in the studio

Recently, I’ve been exploring motion. Part of this is in thanks to the DSLR camera I bought with my ADAA Prize Money! It started with a desire to create high-quality GIFS as a storytelling method on the Second Story blog. This has kind of taken off into creating long stop motion animations in Photoshop and creating prototypes in Flash. Now I’m learning AfterEffects – I’m committed to exploring as a designer.

 

 

 

 

Since being distinguished by the ADAA, I was also honored as a winner in the Optimizing category of the IxDA Interaction Design Awards.   So just last month, I found myself back in Toronto to receive an award at the IxDA13 Conference.

Kirsten's ADAA trophy on display!

Kirsten’s ADAA trophy on display!

 

 

At the ADAA 2013, we too share in the joy and achievements of Kirsten and all alumni in the community.  As the ADAA embarks on our thirteenth year, we’re looking forward to recognizing more emerging artists and designers, pushing their pursuit of greatness in design. 

Congrats, Kirsten!  To view Kirsten’s honored work, visit the ADAA Gallery at www.adaagallery.com.

ADAA12 Awards Ceremony: Part II

Posted on December 14, 2012 by jmilovic | Comments (0)

Our second day in Toronto, was the one for which our Finalist had been waiting for for months! The day had finally arrived when we would announce the Winners in each of the 16 Categories – ushering in the next generation of bright talent and honouring educators who work every day to advance design pedagogy.  The ADAA Team was buzzing with excitement too: many months of hard work were coming to fruition as we finally got to see the Finalists seated in the auditorium!

 

The ceremony!

The ceremony!

We were treated to not one, but two, stellar keynotes from Stephen Sagmeister and Sean Adams.  Sagmeister challenged the packed auditorium to consider what truly makes them happy and the very delicate relationship between pursuing your career and your passion.  Sean Adams took us back to where it all began: to the early days of AdamsMorioka and shared with us the trials and triumphs – and jokes – along the way of building one of the most successful agencies in North America.

 

Sean Adams talking about the early days.

Sean Adams talking about the early days.

 

Stefan Sagmeister checking in with the audience.

Stefan Sagmeister checking in with the audience.

After their talks, both of these design luminaries stayed backstage, as they both took part in presenting the ADAA Awards to our deserving and very excited Winners.  They were joined by Noreen Morioka, Mick Kanfi, Pum and Jake Lefebure, Susan Bradley, Kris Sowersby, and Harry Pearce!  It was certainly a starpower awards ceremony – honouring the best work from over 20 countries and representing the hard work of over 70 finalists and team members.

The ceremony was followed by a reception at the ADAA Gallery where the DT attendees, ADAA presenters and our ADAAers all mingled, and raised a glass to their achievements.  The most common response amongst our Finalists is that everyone had already felt like a winner, whether they were awarded a trophy that evening or not – because the experience of coming to Toronto and getting to know so many people – peers, industry leaders and design thinkers – had already felt like a prize.  It was a really pleasure to get to see all the Finalists from all over the world get to know each other and share their ideas!

 

Undoubtedly, Photography winner Pablo Jimenez said it best when he noted that “The moment you have Stefan Sagmeister handing you a trophy, you realize it is not just an award, it is a life experience.”

 

But we were not done yet!  After the reception, we were treated to a celebratory dinner and a visit to the CN Tower, which as one of the world’s tallest structures was an ideal venue for our ADAAers, who from such heights could see the broad horizon of their bright futures!

Our memories and the friends we all made will certainly stay with us for a lifetime – and as we continue to track the achievements and successes of our honourees, we will continue to grow our international community and recognize the power and impact of global design education and practice.

Did You Know?!

Posted on June 12, 2012 by jmilovic | Comments (2)

As the deadline is fast approaching (competition closes in less than two weeks!!!) we are getting many daily questions from applicants.  We thought it would be useful for everyone to do a post on the topic to share with you all!

Here are some important tips and guidelines:

  • Each contestant can submit up to (3) three different projects in each category.
  • Each contestant can submit projects in as many categories as they like!  The only limitation is that you cannot apply to a category in which you already hold Semi-Finalist status.
  • If you submitted your project to a previous Session and it did not get selected for the Semi-Final round, you can re-submit the same project again, BUT it has to be changed or updated somehow.
  • You can see the www.adobeawards.com website and application form in 14 languages.  Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
  • Even if you are a recent graduate, you can submit work that was created after May 1, 2011, if you were a student at the time of its completion.
  • We encourage all contestants to submit more than one project!  Send us all your end of term work!
  • We encourage group projects!
  • Entries into the Application and Game categories do not need to be functional!  Send in your amazing concepts.
  • There are (3) three categories that are just for faculty!  Know an innovative educator?  Get them to send in their projects!
  • You can download fully functional trial versions of the Adobe software you will need to make or finish your project on our website.  Your entry must be created primarily using Adobe tools (50% or more).

And last but not least – the ultimate piece of important information that you should write on sticky notes all around your desk:

  • Final deadline is 22 June 2012, 17:00PST!!!

Hope that helps!  If you have any more questions, feel free to drop them in the comments.

- The ADAA Team