UB Design Juniors :: Graphic Design 2008 ::

Graphic Design Students' Poster Campaigns Raise Awareness at UB and Beyond

To raise awareness on the UB campus and surrounding area, Amy Papaelias' Junior Graphic Design Studio created visually powerful messages promoting the prevention of sexual assault. Over the course of five weeks, each student designed a series of campaign posters intended to engage the college community in this important issue.

The project is sponsored by Divisions of Student Affairs, Counseling Services and Health Services, and the Center for Women and Families.

"The Graphic Design students really exceeded our expectations and produced posters of professional quality that have attracted the attention of people throughout UB and beyond," said Jonathan Spodick, Director of Counseling Services. "These posters will undoubtedly raise awareness of sexual assault. Awareness is the 1st step toward decreasing this problem which occurs on all college campuses."

Michelle Zambon-Nishiwaki's poster series won first place and Rebecca Mackin's poster series won second place. However, judges from Student Affairs were so pleased with the results that it was decided to print all of these series for distribution throughout the UB campus.

"These posters are outstanding! The quality of the designs, and the creativity displayed in the messages I believe will be effective in getting students to think about the choices they make, and the role alcohol and other drugs in sexual assaults," said Kenneth Holmes, Dean of Students. The posters produced by the Graphic Design students are certainly eye-catching and will raise awareness about the problem of sexual assaults in our society."

In addition, the poster series by Kathie Cote and Cecilia Jacobsen were selected for the Advertising Club of Connecticut's 2008 54th Annual Awards Competition. The work will be displayed at the Annual Show and will be included in the Awards Show Book.

"This was not an easy subject to approach," said Professor Papaelias. "The students worked professionally to raise awareness about sexual assault in a creative and thought-provoking way."