Amarillo College visual arts and mass media students won several prestigious awards at the Amarillo chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s 2019 Advertising Awards banquet Feb. 23 in Canyon.
The annual awards, known as the “ADDYs,” recognize excellence in local student and professional advertising.
Skilled AC students stepped up to accept gold and silver awards, as well as a pair of special judges’ awards, while Derek Weathersbee, AC graphic design instructor, claimed gold and silver awards in the professional category.
Jake Wagner-Russell set the tone for AC students by winning a gold award and a special judges’ award for Illustration for the Wanderbrunch Campaign, and a silver award for Art Direction of the Shaggy Waggles Branding Campaign.
AC Student Media’s spring 2018 “Current” magazine also captured a special judges’ award for Best Print Piece, and a silver award for Magazine Design.
Claire Ekas, editor of the winning magazine – this particular issue also captured a national Pacemaker Award last October – said she was pleased that “The Current” took home the ADDY for best print piece.
“It is a really great feeling knowing that all of our hard work last semester keeps paying off. We don't do any of this to win awards, but it's a cherry on top when we do,” Ekas said.
Joining Ekas on the staff of the spring 2018 “Current” were Salvador Gutierrez, assistant editor; Lauren Ebben, assistant editor; Mackenzie Farmer, page editor; Stevi Breshears, page editor and Jake Wagner-Russell, graphic artist.
Weathersbee’s gold and silver awards in the professional category are for art direction and web development in a pair of branding campaigns he orchestrated for TwoFish and McGibney Guitars, respectively.
Additionally, Blake Cripps, a recent AC graduate and now a West Texas A&M University graphic design student, won in the student category for best of show.
AC students Salvador Gutierrez, Mackenzie Farmer Lauren Ebben and Stevi Breshears attended the awards ceremony, along with instructors and advisers Maddisun Fowler and Derek Weathersbee.
The ADDYs are the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, according to AAF Amarillo.
Student Awards:
Jake Wagner-Russell
Gold
Illustration
Wanderbrunch Campaign
Jake Wagner-Russell
Special Judges’ Award
Best Illustration
Wanderbrunch Campaign
Jake Wagner-Russell
Silver
Art Direction (Design, Illustration)
Shaggy Waggles Branding Campaign
[Spring 2018 Current Staff, Claire Ekas, editor; Salvador Gutierrez, assistant editor; Lauren Ebben, assistant editor; Mackenzie Farmer page editor; Stevi Breshears, page editor and Jake Wagner Russell, graphic artist]
Silver
Magazine Design
The Current, Spring 2018
[Spring 2018 Current Staff, Claire Ekas, editor; Salvador Gutierrez, assistant editor; Lauren Ebben, assistant editor; Mackenzie Farmer page editor; Stevi Breshears, page editor and Jake Wagner Russell, graphic artist]
Special Judges’ Award
Best Print Piece
The Current, Spring 2018
Professional Awards:
Derek Weathersbee
Gold
Art Direction (Design)
TwoFish Branding Campaign
Derek Weathersbee
Silver
Art Direction (Design, Web Development)
McGibney Guitars Branding Campaign
-Amarillo College
