March 13, 2025Graphic Design Students Recognized at Knoxville ADDY Awards
Four students in the School of Design were recognized for outstanding work produced in their courses at the American Advertising Awards (ADDY Awards) earlier this month. The event, organized by the Knoxville chapter of the American Advertising Federation, welcomed entries from across East Tennessee.
The local awards mark the start of a three-tier national competition. Recipients of Gold Awards are automatically entered into one of 15 district competitions.
Gold Awards
OBED Wild and Scenic River, Elements of Advertising, Single Illustration, Alexander Long
Long was recognized with the Best of Student award for his project OBED Wild and Scenic River, developed for his love of the regional river.
“As a designer, I often look for inspiration for my projects in places I have been, experiences I have had, or research I have done,” he said. “OBED Wild & Scenic River is a place I hold dearly to my heart. When I started this project, I knew I really wanted to highlight my favorite camping spot near Knoxville. However, I also felt the need to challenge myself and try something new that I haven’t done before. The poster and almost all of the deliverables of this project were hand illustrated by me. I felt it matched the freeform and tactile nature of being in the mountains.”
Long credits the School of Design for helping him find direction in a future career.
“With wonderful resources and amazing faculty, the school of design has helped me study what I love at a high level. I am extremely grateful to the AAF for giving me this award and to my professors for pushing me to become a better designer. I am looking forward to the coming year and getting to make more fun work like this.”
OBED Wild and Scenic River, Out-of-Home Poster, Long
“20,000 Leagues Under the Seas,” Sales and Marketing Book Design, Long
Delivered Logo, Logo Design, Nola Mooney
Bronze Awards
Phoenix Issue 69, Publication Design, Mooney
Second Plate, Logo Design, Lillian Nagdeman
Second Plate, Poster Campaign, Lillian Nagdeman
Second Plate, Stationary Package, Lillian Nagdeman
The ADDYs were judged by three professionals from outside the region: John McCafferty, president and creative director of McCafferty Advertising, Jenn State, owner and creative director at Black Tie Creatives, and April Rutherford, senior vice president and executive creative director of Anthology Marketing Group.
