The Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC), the national certification body for visual communication designers, announces its 2008 scholarship winners.
 
"These winners are all student members of the GDC, and their considerable creativity and talent really impressed the judges," said GDC president Rod Roodenburg. "It's a privilege for the GDC to celebrate the next generation of Canada’s visual communicators and help them develop their craft."

Scholarship applications were received from all across the country. Applicants submitted a piece of student work completed as a class project and were judged by professional members of the GDC. Judges scored each entry on criteria such as methodology, typography, content and presentation.

GDC Scholarship judge Dean McNeil said about the entries, "A good range of approaches and styles. The students understand the importance of strong typographic skills. Some show true promise with type."

Scholarship judge Brenda Sanderson said, "The overall field shows the promise of the design talent in Canada and how are our educators are challenging students to address briefs that would be easily found in the ‘real world’.

"The winners demonstrate not only great design solutions but also an appreciation of the need to present a polished package with strong rationale and supporting research. Annmarie Akong’s submission was impactful and well considered through each element. Maria Celkova’s JFK poster used a limited palette – type – but was still incredibly evocative of a time and place when the overall environment was considered. Kudos to Alaine Haynal who pushed the boundaries of our notion of the ‘book’. Adrienne Lenardon showed that design solutions should address both the destination (the event) and the experience (getting to each location by subway). There are some bright design talents within the GDC’s student membership and I look forward to them joining the profession in the years to come."

And the winners are...
 
Winner of the Veer $2500
Annmarie Akong,
York/Sheridan College (Toronto, Ontario)
Project: Contact Festival Poster and collateral

Winner of the Adobe $1000
Maria Celkova, Capilano College (North Vancouver, BC)
Project: Wall to Wall Exhibition Poster (JFK)
 

Winner of the Applied Arts $1000
Alain Haynal, University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta)
Project: Codex + Context

Winner of the Aquent $1000
Adrienne Lenardon
York/Sheridan College (Toronto, Ontario)
Project: Doors Open Toronto