KU News Release

KU design students win top awards at regional art competition

LAWRENCE — Two undergraduates in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas were among nine award winners at the 2008 Graphex 39 design competition.

Graphex is sponsored annually by the Art Directors Club of Tulsa, Okla., and rewards student and professional graphic designers. Winners were recognized May 8 at Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa.

Danielle Dragan, Chesterfield, Mo., junior in visual communications, won a $250 Judge’s Choice Award in the student division for her Web site design, “How to Play Tablefootball.” Lauren Ruiz, Lenexa sophomore in visual communications, won a $250 Best Illustration in the student division for her book cover series, “Tender is the Night.”

“It is gratifying to release my work outside KU and receive such positive feedback,” said Dragan. She is the daughter of Greg and Diane Dragan and a graduate of Lafayette High School, Ballwin, Mo.

“Danielle worked very hard on this project and it is wonderful that she has been recognized for her work,” said Jeremy Shellhorn, assistant professor of visual communication/graphic design. “When our students receive awards and accolades, it is a reflection of the quality of the design program at KU.”

Ruiz is the daughter of Ronald and Catherine Ruiz and a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School.

“I am so proud of Lauren, who as a sophomore can do work that is recognized by a distinguished group of graphic design professionals,” said Andrea Herstowski Wertzberger, associate professor of visual communication/graphic design.

The Art Directors Club had a record number of entries in every category this year, including more than 100 student submissions. More than $5,000 was given away to student award winners in the following categories: Best Portfolio, Best Logo, Best Packaging, Best Advertisement, Best Interactive, Best Print, Best Illustration, Best Photography, Best Miscellaneous and Judge’s Choice.

Judges for the competition were Marc Burckhardt, Austin, Texas, a graphic designer whose clients include Rolling Stone magazine, Time, Sony Records and the New York Times; Michael Osborne, president and creative director of the San Francisco-based Michael Osborne Design Inc.; and Stephanie Lee, Kansas City, Mo., a KU design alumna, who works for Willoughby Design Group and is in charge of market research, brand strategy and conceptual design, working with clients such as Hallmark Cards and Nestlé.

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