Communication Design seniors win advertising design awards

Sammi Micklewright

Milwaukee has its ‘Oscars’ for advertising design, and at this year’s United Adworkers 99 competition for professionals and students, two Communication Design seniors at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) received coveted awards.

Sammi Micklewright ’24 received the 2nd place Merit Award and Megan Huss ’24 the 4th Place Merit.

Mickelwright’s project aimed “to create a fresh new brand strategy for CoCo&Blu: a cafe in Arlington Heights, IL,” she says.” This project is close to my heart because CoCo&Blu is my favorite coffee shop in my hometown, and I have many good memories there!”

“I feel very honored to … have my work recognized at the United Adworkers Awards,” Micklewright adds. “This has provided me with encouragement to continue honing my skills as a designer and professional.”

Huss created her project, TeaLift, in her junior year packaging design class. “I have always had a love and appreciation for packaging design, so it was really fun to see my work in a physical form like that,” Huss says.

Megan Huss

The 2024 (professional) Best of Show in the United Adworkers 99 competition was won by BVK, where Katie Parlow ‘16 is senior art director and Charity Ekpo ‘15 is graphic designer/illustrator.

Micklewright and Huss are now preparing for the MIAD 2024 Senior Exhibition, on view April 19 – May 11.

Micklewright’s project, Koda, “is an animated miniseries for children suffering with PANDAS syndrome, a debilitating pediatric autoimmune disorder. Our goal is to inform and nurture PANDAS children, providing them with support on their journey to recovery,” she says.

Huss’ project is Happier Hour – an app that connects sober young adults with one another.

MIAD Galleries are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., at 273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Learn more about MIAD’s Communication Design major. Visit MIAD.