Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, Jacksonville State University’s graphic design students have once again proven their talents on a major stage, dominating the Birmingham American Advertising Federation (AAF) ADDY Awards. This year, Jax State took home 14 out of 35 student awards, showcasing their creativity and skill. Notably, recent graduate Sam Musgrove was awarded the prestigious Student Best of Show Award, along with two Gold ADDYs, for his innovative work on a campaign for Dragon’s Blood Hard Seltzer.
The awards ceremony, which drew more than 100 students and professionals from the local advertising industry, highlighted the impressive achievements of Jax State students. In total, Jax State won four Student Gold ADDYs and nine Student Silver ADDYs, competing against top design talent from other state universities, including Samford, UAB, and the University of Alabama.
“Our students are making excellent work, and it is extremely validating to see them recognized amongst their peers and area professionals,” said Jamie Runnells, professor of Graphic Design and MFA coordinator at Jax State. “Our design students are extremely dedicated and consistently making great work. Their work is regularly recognized on the national stage. That drive and commitment to their discipline make me incredibly proud.”
For Musgrove, the awards came as a pleasant surprise. “This was my first time feeling super confident about a project,” said Musgrove, who graduated in December and has since been accepted into the Jax State MFA program. “I didn’t even know if I would get an award, much less two Gold and Best of Show. So this whole situation is just a complete surprise.”
Musgrove’s winning submission, created as part of his BFA Capstone project, featured a complete branding campaign for Dragon’s Blood Hard Seltzer. His submission included seltzer packaging, website design, poster design, and branding, all aimed at standing out in the crowded hard seltzer market. “I wanted to create something personal, nerdy, tongue-in-cheek, and relatable to a younger, 21 to 35 demographic,” Musgrove explained. His work proved to be both creative and professional, providing a strong example of the type of work he can deliver to future employers.
Another standout from Jax State was Brianna Bailey, a graduate student working on her MFA, who won a Student Silver ADDY for her Tailfeathers project. Tailfeathers is a branding concept for an outdoor entertainment venue in Jacksonville, designed to foster community and improve mental well-being. Bailey’s vision was to create a welcoming social space for both college students and families, contributing to a sense of belonging in Jacksonville.
Bailey credits the success of Jax State’s graphic design students to the strong foundation provided by the program’s faculty. “Our wonderful design professors encourage us to approach a project with a strong concept and finish with strong executions of that concept,” she said. “There’s a great sense of community and competition within our program. I think that motivates students to elevate their work to award-winning levels.”
The list of Jax State ADDY winners is as follows:
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Riley Abston: Silver ADDY (Sony Music Website Redesign)
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Riley Abston: Silver ADDY (WIP Art App)
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Caycie Trotter: Silver ADDY (Botany Buds Video)
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Caycie Trotter: Gold ADDY (Botany Buds Illustrations)
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Marlie Wright: Silver ADDY (Cafe M Website Redesign)
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Marlie Wright: Silver ADDY (Vivian Maier Editorial)
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Nate Young: Silver ADDY (Nyctophobe Wine Packaging)
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Brianna Bailey: Silver ADDY (Tailfeathers)
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Laney O’Neal: Silver ADDY (Cannabis Studies)
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Laney O’Neal: Silver ADDY (Experimental Typeface)
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Sam Musgrove: Gold ADDY (Dragon’s Blood HS – Packaging)
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Sam Musgrove: Gold ADDY (Dragon’s Blood HS – Logo)
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Sam Musgrove: Best of Show (Dragon’s Blood HS – Packaging)
These accomplishments are just the latest in a series of successes for Jax State’s graphic design program, which has consistently earned recognition at both state and national levels. With the continued support of the university’s faculty and the dedication of its students, the future of Jax State’s graphic design department looks brighter than ever.
