North-West University’s Graphic Design Students and Graduates Garner Additional National and International Accolades”
Following hot on the heels of prizes at both the Loerie Awards and the Student Gold Pack Awards (read more: https://news.nwu.ac.za/nwu-designers-dazzle-loerie-and-student-gold-pack-awards), North-West University (NWU) students and graduates in Graphic Design continue to reap national and international recognition for their distinctive creativity and skills.
The latest accolades include prestigious membership of the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) for three students and a silver award and craft certificate at this year’s Pendoring Awards for two others.
Students now full members of the ISTD
Magdeli Venter, Kayla Fouché and Zelmari de Beer are all now full members of the ISTD. They have been awarded membership through the ISTD’s annual Student Assessment Scheme, through which highly crafted typographic design projects are submitted to be assessed by a strict and experienced panel of judges.
There are three levels of achievement, and Magdeli has received a merit (high ranking) membership, with Kayla and Zelmarie both receiving pass (competent) memberships.
“We participate annually in the ISTD Student Assessment Scheme, where senior design students choose from a series of predetermined project briefs and need to create an advanced conceptual design work with the application of typography and layout skills,” says Marina Herbst, lecturer at the Graphic Design subject group.
“We have always prompted the students to create work of the highest standard, and the memberships carry great prestige in the design education community and in the industry. We are immensely proud of our students for working tirelessly on these projects, and this year we have once again been deemed worthy with the three memberships awarded by the society.”
According to the ISTD website (https://www.istd.org.uk/sas), their goal is to give both tutors and students the opportunity to explore and develop typography as an inherent part of the design process and bring typography to the forefront of their design education.
They say that, unlike numerous design competitions aimed at students, the Student Assessment Scheme is unique, as it values a student’s entire project – not just the final outcome.
All three students believe the ISTD membership will open doors for them in their careers. “I want to give all honour to God for this award. I believe it is the beginning of new opportunities, all in His name. I consider it a great gift,” says Magdeli.
Kayla says she set a goal for herself at the beginning of the year, and the award is the result of it. “It is great to be recognised on an international platform such as this. Zelmari says the award is especially significant for her. “I come from a small town and am the first in my family to pursue further studies. It is not only a big achievement for me, but also for my family. It shows what can be achieved with hard work.”
Winning praise at the Pendoring Awards ceremony
The highly sought-after Pendoring Awards promote and recognise creativity in all South Africa’s indigenous languages in the South African advertising industry.
Jessica Powell and Tian Zietzman continued Graphic Design’s proud legacy of excellence at the Pendorings. Their project, Kleitjie bou ’n huisie, received both a silver award and a craft certificate in the Publication Design and Student Print Design and the Out-Of-Home (OOH) Crafts – Illustration categories.
Jessica, who was mainly responsible for the illustrations, says the Pendoring Awards are proof that all her hard work – sometimes under difficult circumstances – has been recognised. “It is great to reap the fruits now, especially since I have started my own business in the illustration field this year. It means a lot.”
“We are very proud of the students for dedicating so much time and effort to their design work, and that it has paid off,” concludes lecturer Danelle Heenop.