Graphic design graduate wins gold at national ADDYs

Jacob Siner, a recent graduate of the Liberty University Department of Studio and Digital Arts, won gold for his “Minimal Movies of 2012” posters at the 2013 National Student ADDY Awards. Winners were announced during the 2013 ADDY Awards Show, part of “ADMERICA!” June 5-8 in Phoenix, Ariz.

The ADDYs are hosted by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) and is the industry’s largest and most representative competition worldwide, drawing over 60,000 entries annually. The competition includes local, district, and national judging.

Siner, who majored in graphic design, claimed a silver award for his posters at the AAF District 3 ADDY Awards March 24 in Raleigh, N.C., and won two gold awards at the local ADDY competition in Roanoke on Feb. 23. (Liberty brought home 11 gold and 17 silver awards at the local level, topping nearly all schools in the region and garnering four times as many awards as it did in 2012.)

“It’s an honor, it gives me a little bit of confidence,” he said, especially as he interviews for jobs. He hopes to work for a design firm.

“The main thing, going into it, was that I wanted to see where I was; I wanted to know where I would be coming out. It was cool to submit my work and see how it compares.”

Siner said he is grateful to Liberty for helping him develop as an artist.

“I was doing all the right things to prepare (for a career). The biggest thing was the professors; I got to spend time with them and really interact with them. They gave me honest critique,” he said. “That is what really grew me. It’s really the staff who makes this program.”

Dr. Norman Mintle, dean of the School of Communication & Creative Arts, said communication faculty embody Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ.

“The heart of the faculty in the School of Communication & Creative Arts is to both prepare our artists to make meaningful contributions in their field, but also to truly nurture the God-given talent in each of these transmedia storytellers.”

• The Liberty University Department of Studio and Digital Arts is part of the School of Communication & Creative Arts and offers majors in Graphic Design, Studio Art, and Studio Art with Teacher Licensure, as well as minors in Graphic Design, Studio Art, and Photography. Since the SADA program launched in its current form in 2006, it has expanded from about 150 to more than 500 declared majors.