Design Derby

"Amazing Ideas" From Design Students Help Special Angels Move Forward

18 Student Teams Compete in 2007 ADCNJ Design Derby

	TOP DESIGN: The winning team from New Jersey City University included (from left to right) Ivan Petrovsky, Ivo Araujo, Luba Farbey, Olson Jean-Louis, and Shenella Cutting (not shown in photo). (Photo by Susan Pedersen) click for larger image
	HONORABLE MENTION was given to the team from County College of Morris, which included Steve Elliott, Alex D'Angelo, Austin Bonelli, and Justin Bradford.(Photo by Susan Pedersen) click for larger image
	HONORABLE MENTION was given to the team from Rutgers University-Newark, which included Dominic Katigbak, Rodney Landais, Ku Hsuan Tsui, Lina Rojao, and Saddy Munoz. (Photo by Susan Pedersen) click for larger image

Each year the Art Directors Club of New Jersey Design (ADCNJ) organizes a statewide competition that is open to all design students enrolled at New Jersey colleges and universities.

Hosted by Seton Hall University on November 10th, the 2007 Design Derby welcomed a total of 99 students who formed 18 teams for an intensive competition of creative minds. Student teams participated from The College of New Jersey, County College of Morris, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Rider University, Rutgers University-Newark, and Seton Hall University.

The challenge for these student teams this year was to design a logo, tagline, business card, and stationery with envelope for a program called Special Angels. As part of Putting the Pieces Together, Special Angels organizes sports and other recreational events by age groups for children with special needs (including autism) who live in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.puttingthepiecestogether.org.

Following a three-hour work session, each team presented their designs for peer review and judging by the leadership of Special Angels. Judging resulted in a ranking of the top design, with two teams recognized with honorable mention status.

A team from New Jersey City University was selected as creating the top design for Special Angels. A team from County College of Morris and a team from Rutgers University-Newark received honorable mention for their branding concepts.

"The students gain real-world experience while propelling a nonprofit organization forward," said Christine Krus, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Seton Hall University who serves as Chair of the ADCNJ Education Council.

"There is no question in my mind that these students are all winners," stated ADCNJ Education Council Member Nikki Pedersen, who created the ADCNJ Design Derby andhas served a leadership role for all 13 Design Derby competitions to date. "With clients as worthy as Special Angels, this experience benefits all of us."

"Not only do these students have the opportunity to showcase their design talents to their peers from other New Jersey colleges and universities through this Design Derby, but they are making an important contribution to help a nonprofit organization in our state," said James Smith, President of ADCNJ.

"It's great to see what students can do without electricity," added James, referring to the fact that no computers are allowed in the ADCNJ Design Derby. Students use markers and paper to sketch their design ideas without computer-generated graphics.

"This artwork is truly amazing," said Deborah Wertalik, who established Special Angels with her daughter, Tara Banuls, in August of 2005, providing autism awareness, recreation, support, and education for children, their parents, and the community.

"It was an emotional experience hearing each team of students present their ideas, and it was amazing to see what they had created. They are extremely talented artists. This is a great program, and it is an honor to be a part of it."

Special thanks to ADCNJ Members Christine Krus, Nikki Pedersen, and James Smith, along with photographer Susan Pedersen, for volunteering their time to make the 2007 ADCNJ Design Derby a marvelous success!