By Troy Moon
Pensacola State College
Nursing is a noble and honorable profession ─ but it’s not for everyone. Even nurses will tell you that.
Danny Nguyen started at Pensacola State College as a nursing student, but it just wasn’t a good fit. Instead, he enrolled in the College’s Visual Arts Program and has blossomed as a graphic design artist.
In fact, Nguyen won a Gold Award and two Silver Awards at the American Advertising Federation District 4 Awards competition held April 22 in Orlando. District 4 includes colleges and universities in Florida and the Caribbean.
Overall, the College won two Gold Awards and eight Silver Awards. Gold Awards are automatically submitted to the national competition which is scheduled for June 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. Silver Award winners can submit their works to the national competition for a fee.
Amanda Schmidt, a graphic design alumna, won the College’s second Gold Award.
“I started out in nursing, but it just wasn’t for me,’’ Nguyen explained. “I tried to do it and I’m glad I’m tried. But this was the best move for me. I didn’t have much of an art background, but this program sets you up step-by-step until you can figure it out on your own and go from there.”
Nguyen is also president of the PSC student art club, Creative Collective.
Nguyen said he was offered a job by an Orlando advertising firm at the award ceremony, pending his graduation this fall when he will earn his Dr. Marjan Mazza Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management, Graphic Design Management Concentration.
Amanda Schmidt earned the same degree and is currently a graphic designer in New York.
“Our students did great, but they always do,’’ said Mark Hopkins, PSC Graphic Design instructor. “I think we really have a good chance of winning something at nationals.”
Hopkins said the awards ceremony is special for all students who attend.
“They get so much more out of it than expected,’’ Hopkins said. “They get the opportunity to get in front of people who are leaders in the business and show them how good they are.”
PSC Gold and Silver Award winners include:
GOLD
Sales and Marketing:
Book Design: 2021 Kilgore Review, Danny Nguyen, Graphic Designer
Out of Home and Ambient Media:
“Fireside Smores,’’ Amanda Schmidt, Graphic Designer/Illustrator
SILVER
Sales and Marketing/Collateral Material
“Invisible Talks: Break the Silence,’’ Amanda Schmidt, Graphic Designer/Illustrator
Cover/Editorial Spread or Feature – Series
Clarke and Fairchild Book Designs, Danny Nguyen, Graphic Designer
“Jason Bourne” Graphic Novel Series, Lindsi Hicks, Graphic Designer
“Silence Jones” Series Cover Design, Jacey Lynn Bowen, Designer
Out of Home and Ambient Media
Student Honors Exhibition poster, Danny Nguyen, Art Director and Illustrator and Corrianne Stine, Art Director and Illustrator
Guerilla Marketing, Installations and Event
“Frozen in Time,’’ Amanda Schmidt, Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Elements of Advertising/Logo Design
“Rosie’s: Women’s Crossfit,’’ Jennifer Manare, Graphic Designer
“Fireside Smores,’’ Amanda Schmidt, Graphic Designer and Illustrator