ADAA: Nurturing Excellence

By Heather Ann Snodgrass

The Adobe Design Achievement Awards seek to highlight and celebrate the finest student accomplishments in technological and creative artistry. Now in its eighth year and continuing the legacy of Adobe founder, John Warnock, the awards have evolved from a US-only, two-category competition into one spanning 36 countries, nine languages and 12 categories and harnessing the power of previous winners to shape the awards' direction. Claire Erwin sat down with us to discuss the past, present and future of the awards.

The awards, in essence, create a community where students' work evolves over years -- something that is inspiring for everyone involved in the program. "What I find most interesting are the winners and finalists over the years who have been recognized more than once. They are the ones who perhaps were an honorable mention one year, to be a finalist the next. That's consistency. It's the stories of finalists and winners who entered year after year and then were recognized."

Because the caliber of entries has grown substantially over the years, the introduction of a semifinalist position has allowed further acknowledgment of excellence in design. "The addition of the semifinalist recognition was a great landmark for the program. There are so many talented students, it’s so difficult to neatly identify, that it’s a tremendous honor to be chosen as a semifinalist."

Students hoping to succeed in the contest must focus on two key strategies: quality and persistence. "Send your best work, absolutely your best. The judges year after year have to keep reminding themselves that they are judging a student competition and not a professional competition. Also, don't give up. If you don't make it this year and you are still a student next year, keep submitting."

As one would expect, the awards will only continue to mature in the years to come. "It lends itself to growth. The community it’s building not only continues the legacy but, in many ways, pushes the boundaries of great design and development, inspiring countries that are just beginning their programs and industries in these areas to do more, be more and continue to evolve."