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For immediate release: April 1, 2015

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J.J. Boehm, Director of Media Relations
(989) 964-4055
University Communications

SVSU graphic design student wins 2 gold ADDY awards, advances to national competition

A Saginaw Valley State University student won two out of six top awards recognizing outstanding student graphic design projects during the American Advertising Federation District 6 competition, which covers contestants from Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

Now Kaitlyn Zumbach, a graphic design major from Millington who graduates in May, will see how well her two winning entries fare against national competition during the national American Advertising Federation conference in June in Las Vegas.

“They say that when you do something you love, you will find success,” Zumbach said. “I love graphic design and receiving all of these awards has been proof that I am going into the right career. I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family and the encouragement of some awesome advisors over the past few years. I can't wait to start my graphic design career in May.”

The regional competition, which was held in Muncie, Ind. in March, included 304 entries from student graphic design artists from cities as large as Chicago. The six entries that won gold designations - the top honors given at the event - will be entered into the national competition.

Zumbach earned the two gold designations for a marketing campaign promoting a race in Harrison known as The Mutt as well as a series of stationary designs that includes letterheads and business cards. She also earned two of the 14 silver designations given at the regional competition.

Zumbach is no stranger to recognition. Last year, she was one of five from the U.S. selected for the 16-person Stampin' Up! international Artisan Design Team. The recognition draws attention to artists working with rubber stamp art and paper crafting.

In 2014, Zumbach also won the Hank Graff 100 Year Anniversary Logo Contest for her graphic design entry celebrating the auto dealership's centennial year. She received a $1,000 scholarship as a prize, and the company adopted her logo.

Prior to graduating, Zumbach also will present her SVSU honors thesis Friday, April 10. Her thesis is titled, “Non-Profit Branding and Social Media Marketing.”

To view some of Zumbach's work, visit her websites at www.zumbachdesigns.com and http://www.createwithkaitlyn.com/.

 
Kaitlyn Zumbach