Billy Blue College of Design student success in 2024 AGDA Design Awards

Billy Blue College of Design students land 41 finalist spots, 13 category wins, 12 merits and 1 distinction in the 2024 AGDA Awards.

Billy Blue College of Design has made an incredible mark at this year’s Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) Awards, with 25 talented students securing an impressive 41 finalist spots and wins across various categories.

For the past 30 years, the AGDA Awards have benchmarked the pinnacle of Australian graphic design excellence across a wide range of disciplines. In 2024, Billy Blue College of Design’s strength continues to shine in the Student Brand and Packaging categories, with multiple finalists showcasing their outstanding work.

“This ongoing achievement at the AGDA Awards, year after year, highlights the dedication and creativity of our students and underscores Billy Blue’s continued prominence in the world of design education, and the efforts of our esteemed academics,” said Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside, Executive Dean, Design and Creative Technology.

Celebrating student excellence at the 2024 AGDA Design Awards

The 2024 edition has introduced exciting changes to the student awards, aligning them with the professional awards and expanding recognition across categories including Brand & Identity, Print & Publications, Packaging, Digital, Motion, Spatial, and Design Crafts.

Among the standouts is Holly Theissen from NSW with 6 finalist nods across Brand, Packaging, Digital, and Print for entries including ‘Holly Theissen Designs,’ ‘Hey Freya: Making Periods Planet Friendly,’ ‘Elektrik Eel Festival’ and ‘Aids Council of NSW.’

Emily Ko, from NSW, secured 5 spots in multiple categories including Brand, Packaging, and Motion for her projects ‘Pao Pao Tea,’ ‘Eternity’ and ‘Collide O Scope.’ Sarah Fell, from VIC, garnered recognition with 4 finalist spots for her work on ‘Signal Organic Gin,’ ‘JUNCAT Cooperative Boardgame,’ and ‘Arquade Display’ across Packaging and Design Craft categories.

Fostering industry-ready talent

Billy Blue’s Program Director of Communication Design, Elicia Simon, emphasises how the recognition at the AGDA Awards serves as a significant milestone in the students' journey toward professional success.

“Being shortlisted or winning an AGDA Award marks a significant achievement to be celebrated and bolsters students' credibility when entering the industry,” said Elicia. “Exposure to top-tier design work through the awards helps bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations, enriching the student experience and preparing them for a successful career in design.”

For Hannah Schmith, Learning Facilitator - Diploma of Graphic Design, supporting students through this process has been a satisfying experience.

“Helping the students gain the confidence to showcase their talents on a national stage was incredibly rewarding,” said Hannah. “It allowed me to witness exceptional creativity and hard work, proving their readiness to make an impact in the design industry.”

Billy Blue’s consistent performance at the AGDA Awards demonstrates the strength of our Diploma of Graphic Design and Bachelor of Communication Design programs, and our continual commitment to nurturing top-tier talent.

“This is an incredible achievement and a testament to our student talent, hard work and dedication,” said Elicia. “They have showcased their skills at the highest level and also set themselves apart in the industry. We can’t wait to see where this recognition takes each of them in their design careers.”

Billy Blue’s 2024 AGDA Awards finalists

Congratulations to our phenomenal list of finalists and winners.

Student Brand

'Honey I'm Home' by Gianina Purwanta

Emily Ko – NSW: Pao Pao Tea (Brand Identity) – Merit

Emily Ko – NSW: Eternity (Brand Identity) – Merit

Gianina Zackeisha Purwanta - NSW: Honey I'm Home (Brand Identity)

Hannia Ngo – NSW: Eco Playground (Brand Identity)

Holly Theissen – NSW: Fairfax Youth Festival (Campaign)

Gianina Zackeisha Purwanta – NSW: Honey I'm Home (Campaign)

Holly Theissen – NSW: Elektrik Eel Festival (Expression - Digital)

Eleni Kolas – QLD: Spiti Greek Restaurant (Expression - Physical)

Gianina Zackeisha Purwanta – NSW: Honey I'm Home (Expression - Physical)

Emily Ko – NSW: Pao Pao Tea (Logos, trademarks and Symbols)

Sam Keast – VIC: Keast Personal Branding (Logos, trademarks and Symbols)

Hanna Anderberg – NSW: Tatuerad Kropp (Self Promotion) – Merit

Hayley Jenkins – QLD: Cody Design Group (Self Promotion)

Holly Theissen – NSW: Holly Theissen Designs (Self Promotion)

Sam Keast – VIC: Keast Personal Branding (Self Promotion)

Student Packaging

'Bondi Mills' by Hanna Amnegard

Angel Vo – QLD - Billy's Brew Craft Beer Label Design (Alcoholic Beverage) – Merit

Filipe Mora – NSW - Endless Summer (Alcoholic Beverage) – Merit

Isabella Dunkinson – QLD - Wild Betty (Alcoholic Beverage) – Merit

Sarah Fell – VIC – Signal Organic Gin (Alcoholic Beverage)

Suzy Lawler – NSW - Happy Hour (Alcoholic Beverage)

Tiarnie Salty – QLD - Endless Summer (Alcoholic Beverage)

Tom James – QLD: Summer Fling (Alcoholic Beverage)

Emily Ko – NSW: Pao Pao Tea (Food & Beverage Packaging) – Merit

Hanna Amnegard – NSW: Bondi Mills (Food & Beverage Packaging)

Jazmyn Barnes – NSW: Pawfect (Food & Beverage Packaging)

Kelly Veenstra – VIC: Vacuum-Sealed Meat Package Design (Food & Beverage Packaging)

Krystal Fung – NSW: Wheel of Fate Nibbles (Food & Beverage Packaging) – Merit

Sophie Forster – NSW: Ogelato (Food & Beverage Packaging)

Gabrielle Duffy – WA: PERIOD. (Health, Beauty & Cosmetics)

Holly Theissen – NSW: Hey Freya: Making Periods Planet Friendly (Health, Beauty & Cosmetics) – Merit

Camilla Lambert – NSW: Alevio Medical Shampoo (Health, Beauty & Cosmetics) – Distinction

Sarah Fell – VIC: JUNCAT Cooperative Boardgame (Other)

'Pao Pao Tea' by Emily Ko

Student Digital

Holly Theissen – NSW: Elektrik Eel Festival (Websites)

Student Print

Holly Theissen – NSW: Aids Council of NSW (Posters)

Student Motion

Emily Ko – NSW: Collide O Scope (Motion Branding)

Student Design Crafts

'Blossom Display' by Karina Incio

Angel Vo – QLD: IPA Label Series (Illustration for Design)

Sarah Fell – VIC: JUNCAT Cooperative Boardgame (Illustration for Design)

Leila Van Eimeren-Alcasid – NSW: How to Drink Cereal Milk like the Queen (Photography for Design) – Merit

Charlotte Lockyer – NSW: Lumina (Typeface Design) – Merit

Karina Incio – QLD: Blossom Display (Typeface Design)

Sarah Fell – VIC: Arquade Display (Typeface Design) – Merit

Recognition beyond students

Our staff continue to lead by example. Nick Lewis, Common Core and Communication Design Lecturer, is a finalist in five professional categories, further inspiring the next generation of designers.

Congratulations to our phenomenal list of finalists and winners.

Hero image credit: 'Eternity' by Emily Ko