Five students from Russell Sage College’s Graphic + Media Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program won ADDY® Awards presented by the Capital Region chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady, New York, on February 28. 

Ty Ardman received the student Best in Show award, as well as a Gold award in the Elements of Advertising: Film, Video, Sound category for a 3D animation titled “Launch.” 

“The process included 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, animating, simulating, rendering, editing, and sound design,” Ardman said. “It was inspired by my love of space, movies, and my ongoing quest to gain experience in 3D animation.”

“Launch” won a subsequent silver ADDY at the American Advertising Federation’s District 2 regional competition and will now go on to the national competition. 

“We’re thrilled Visual and Performing Arts students at Russell Sage College are being nationally recognized for their creative excellence,” said Professor Sean Hovendick, chair of Sage’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts. “This achievement is a powerful testament to their hard work, innovative spirit, and the forward-thinking approach of our BFA programs.” 

In addition to Ardman, the following Russell Sage students received awards:

  • Bailey Bates received a Gold award in the Cross Platform Integrated Advertising Campaign category for an advertising campaign titled “Kraft Joy” and a Silver award in the Sales and Marketing Promotion category for a packaging redesign project titled “TaffiPop.” “Kraft Joy” is a Kraft Mac & Cheese inspired space that brings the values of Kraft and the interests of the target audience together through activities including a mac and cheese-shaped ball pit and a noodle swing. Her Taffipop packaging redesign features vibrant design elements that stand out against other brands. “What started as a dollar store package of salt water taffy turned into an elevated, nostalgic candy brand,” she said. 
  • Gabrielle Deck received a Silver award in the Cross Platform Integrated Advertising Campaign category for “Mio: Wellness on Your Wavelength,” a campaign to help MiO attract Gen Z with a new energy drink variation of its water enhancer. The campaign partners with Nike Training Club, Headspace, and Strava apps to “target the core wellness principles of Gen Z consumers: physical, mental, and social wellness,” and features a special edition MiO wellness kit with limited-time offers and continued engagement through MiO rewards.
  • Madeline Marcinko received a Gold award in the Elements of Advertising: Illustration category for a piece called To Hold the Night. “My Illustrations are an extension of who I am, and it means everything to me that I was considered for this award and that I could share them with more people,” said Marcinko. 
  • Angela Silecchia received a Silver award in the Sales and Marketing Collateral Material category for an advertising campaign titled “Coca-Cola: Real Magic, Real Difference.”  

The American Advertising Awards recognize excellence in advertising at the local, district, and national levels.

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