Eight design students recognised in 2021 AGDA Design Awards

The AGDA Design Awards recognise the best work in Australia across a wide range of disciplines every year. They aim to further the design discussion and stimulate the creative progress of our industry. They highlight every generation of talent, from students at colleges and universities, through to the long-established leaders of our profession.

We are proud to see so many of our students and alumni from our graphic design and communication design course become finalists in the AGDA Awards. The number of awards judged by leading members of the communication design industry is a testament to the quality of our staff and students in these courses. Our connectivity to industry ensures we remain at the leading edge of what industry demands from our graduates.

Emerging Designer of the Year winner

Michelle Mondel, Bachelor of Communication Design graduate has been awarded Pinnacle - Emerging Designer of the Year at the 2021 AGDA Design Awards following being nominated as a finalist. Michelle is also a past recipient of a Yellow Pencil D&AD Award, for the work Virgin Conquer which she developed in partnership with fellow graduate Luke Taylor. You can explore Michelle’s submission here.

When she heard of the nomination, Michelle said: "It's such a great feeling being recognised for hard work. I was incredibly honoured just to be nominated by my team, and now as a finalist, it’s wild. Day by day my imposter syndrome is becoming less, and although awards like this aren’t vital for a great career, it’s real encouragement that I’m doing what I’m meant to.”

Award categories and results

Criteria for assessment of entries centred around creativity, craft and communication. With over 1850 entries submitted, we are so excited to celebrate the below award recipients for 2021.

"I’m always impressed by the quality, strategic thinking and creativity present in our student work. The AGDA awards represent the very best achievements in our industry and I’m incredibly proud to see these efforts recognised with awards of Distinction and Merit. Our world needs creative problem solvers and visual thinkers who are willing to challenge and inspire — This year has shown Billy Blue students and alumni have the capacity and talent to do just that." Nathan Scoular, Program Director, Communication Design

Student Brand and Identity

Finalist - Isabel Ugonotti - Sincerely Yours

Finalist - Phoebe Calista - UberTots

Finalist - Hamish Mcrae - Taylor Square, Voli (Range, Series), Voli (Logo, Trademark, Symbol)

Distinction - Hamish Mcrae, Phoebe Perkins, Isabel Ugonotti - Waste Week (Range, Series)

Finalist - Hamish Mcrae, Phoebe Perkins, Isabel Ugonotti - Waste Week (Logo, Trademark, Symbol)

Finalist - Emilie Carmona - Youth Against Sexual Violence Australia 

Student Print

Distinction - Marcus Cheong - 1% Less

Finalist - Christina Diego - Instruo Worldwide

Finalist - Phoebe Calista - Studio Pho Portfolio

Merit - Marcus Cheong - Ultor

Finalist - Hamish Mcrae - Voli

Finalist - Hamish Mcrae, Phoebe Perkins, Isabel Ugonotti - Waste Week (Miscellaneous), Waste Week (Posters)

Student Publications

Merit - Marcus Cheong - Ultor

Merit - Hamish Mcrae, Phoebe Perkins, Isabel Ugonotti - Waste Week

Student Packaging

Merit - Niccole Lim - Naturally Good Company

Student Digital

Finalist - Phoebe Calista - UberTots App

Student Craft

Distinction - Marcus Cheong - Ultor

Billy Blue College of Design has also been recognised in two categories for the AR Experience.

Distinction - Digital / VR & AR Experiences

Pinnacle - Design Effectiveness / Marketing Campaigns

Explore the AR Experience for yourself and see where a career in design could take you.