By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Two recent University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates earned national recognition for their design skills.
Jase Hueser of Papillion and Maggie Pierson of Omaha collected a total of four honors in the student division of the American Advertising Awards, also known as the ADDYs, the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition.
Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation and sponsored by National Ad 2, the student competition recognizes creative excellence in the art of advertising. Entries must advance through local and district competitions to be considered for national awards, which were presented during last week’s American Advertising Federation conference in Hollywood, Florida.
Hueser received national gold awards in packaging design for projects involving the fictional Tammany Hall Brewing Co. and Sourlocks board game. His brand identity campaign featuring the Salina Saints professional basketball team received a silver award. That entry won best of show during the Nebraska competition, giving Hueser that honor in back-to-back years.
Pierson earned a national gold award in package design for her entry featuring the fictional Divine Brewing Co.
“It’s pretty extraordinary for this size of university and design program to reach these heights and awards,” said professor Rick Schuessler, chair of UNK’s Department of Art and Design.
Hueser, who received a silver ADDY award during last year’s national competition, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in visual communication and design. He currently works at Pentagram in New York City, the world’s largest independently owned design studio.
Pierson, who also graduated last month with a bachelor’s degree in visual communication and design, is employed by Iridian Group, a full-service creative agency in Omaha.
“Jase and Maggie are among the most outstanding students I’ve taught during my time here,” Schuessler said.
The American Advertising Awards are open to student designers from accredited U.S. educational institutions, as well as professional designers competing in a separate division. More than 40,000 entries are judged each year.
