Graphic design student wins multiple ADDY awards for capstone project "ReYou"

Mysha Wenzel, graphic design major, received several ADDY awards from the 2022 North Dakota American Advertising Federation's Awards (AAF-ND) show. Her awards include a gold ADDY and Best in Show award for her website, a gold ADDY for her integrated brand identity, and a silver ADDY for her logo. These awards are connected to her senior capstone project “ReYou.”

The ADDY awards are a competitive showcase that recognizes the latest creative projects for advertisements made at a student and professional level. Projects are recognized regionally as well as nationally.

Her senior capstone project, ReYou, is a sewing service brand that revolves around the idea of sustainability. It encourages reusing old clothing with provided patterns to make them into something new. She combined her passion for sustainability with her love for clothing to advertise a service that can cut down on fashion pollution.  

“These awards give me confidence in what I do, especially going into the professional world,” Mysha says. “It gives me a leg to stand on and an opportunity to meet other creatives.”

Her ADDY awards moved on to win gold for her website and silver for her integrated brand identity in the AAF District 8 level which includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Mysha’s project is now being judged at a national level.

There were many elements that went into making her project. She especially enjoyed getting different ideas with different students and making the brand her own.

“Translating the website from a desktop format to a mobile format was the most rewarding,” she says. “It was a brand-new concept and service I was trying to provide so there was no template for me to work with.”

Mysha knew about the graphic design profession in high school but didn’t realize it would become her career path until an introduction graphic design class her freshman year of college.

“I learned about the process of researching, iterating ideas, and building something off of that,” she says. “Once I became immersed in it, it was meant to be.”

While at MSUM, Mysha has taken advantage of opportunities on campus like being a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) group. She also participates in class events such as going down to Minneapolis to tour studios and talk to professionals in the field. She also attends seminars on campus where professionals in the area discuss their jobs.

“Graphic design takes art to a completely different level,” she says. “It’s strategic and deals with problem solving and creating something."

Mysha plans to take an internship over the fall semester to graduate in December of 2022.

Go to https://www.myshathidesign.com/ to see more of Mysha’s portfolio.