Dubbed by many as “the Oscars of advertising,” the ADDY Awards is the industry’s biggest and most well-known competition, recognizing professionals and students across the nation who have produced innovative graphic design.

During the Mid-Michigan ADDY Awards ceremony, held Feb. 23 at the MSU Union, the Michigan State University College of Education won a Silver ADDY Award for its 2010-2011 Annual Report, produced by college graphic designer Anthony Cepak and communications director Nicole Geary.

The report, which was released in late August 2011, is encased in a backpack-shaped envelope and consists of five “items”:

• A calculator (brochure featuring mathematics and science education projects)
• A teacher ID card (pamphlet for the Teacher Preparation Program)
• An iPhone (booklet listing all graduate programs in the College of Education)
• A road map (poster highlighting initiatives and programs focused on Global & Urban Education)
• A yearbook (booklet of college events, grants and other achievements during the past academic year)

The report garnered praise from MSU students, alumni and faculty for its detail-oriented and creative approach. Cepak said he received a flood of emails, Facebook posts and Tweets during the first week of its release, and saw the backpack’s individual components hanging on the doors and walls of faculty offices.

As for the design itself, Cepak said that the backpack is representative of more than just a “school” theme.

“The college went through a transition in leadership this past year, when Carole Ames stepped down from her 18-year legacy as dean,” Cepak said. “Conceptually, the design symbolizes a great leader packing up her accomplishments.”

Cepak and Geary, who spent two months preparing the annual report, were invited to attend the Mid-Michigan ADDY Awards ceremony.

“It was a cool and inspiring experience, and I’m honored that our piece was selected among all the local talent,” Cepak said.

Lauren Mehringer, a student intern for the college’s communications office, also won a Silver ADDY Award for a poster that she designed.

You can download the individual Annual Report elements on the college website.

Tags: ADDY, Annual Report, Award, Cepak, Geary