Camarillo, CA - Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) at CSU Channel Islands recently won two first-place awards for yearbook and poster design from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) at the ACUI’s Region 1 Conference, held at the University of LaVerne on Nov. 6.

ASI received a first-place ribbon in the multipage document category for graphic design work on The Nautical yearbook. It also won first place in the four-color poster category for its design for Dolphinpalooza, an annual festival organized by CI students for the campus and community. Winners of the ACUI Steal This Idea Contest were selected from Region 1 universities in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Australia and the territory of Guam. The annual contest allows colleges to show off the talent of staff and student graphic designers, as well as “steal” and swap ideas.

Both winning designs were the work of CI senior Benjamin Blanchard. Blanchard created the designs as a student assistant for ASI and was recently hired as their full-time graphic designer. He will graduate from CI’s Art program in December.

“Winning these two awards is a great accomplishment for ASI,” Blanchard said. “It’s encouraging to know that we are not only producing effective marketing for campus events and publications, but we also are creating design that is well-received in the graphic design community.”

The winning yearbook design was inspired by its theme, “Rediscovered.” The design invites readers to rediscover the campus through innovative use of photos, layouts and features, such as the cover photo of the newly renovated Central Mall fountain and front- and back-cover flaps that open to reveal photos of the John Spoor Broome Library and Bell Tower.

The winning Dolphinpalooza poster design captures a carnival feel and showcases the many activities hosted at the event in playful illustrations, fun typefaces and bold colors.

“My skill as an artist truly blossomed at CI, thanks to my classes and work experiences,” Blanchard said. “The faculty and staff have provided the support and encouragement to help me find my personal style and my place as an artist. I’m thrilled to continue working with ASI to create a product that reflects the creative spirit and innovation that thrives on the CI campus.”

Associated Students Incorporated is a non-profit auxiliary that exists to support the educational mission of CSU Channel Islands. ASI facilitates learning and development through integrative and co-curricular approaches and identifies and responds to major student issues and initiatives. In addition, ASI implements sound business practices which uphold the fiduciary responsibility associated with the management of student fees, and funds the operation and facility of the CI Student Union.

For more information on the ACUI awards, contact Benjamin Blanchard at 805-437-2042 or benjamin.blanchard656@csuci.edu.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The California State University (CSU) will reach a significant milestone of 3 million alumni during commencement in spring 2015 and has launched the world’s largest yearbook. The Class of 3 Million online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with the millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. Alumni who sign up for the yearbook will also be entered into a special contest to win one of three $10,000 scholarships for a current or future student, sponsored by Herff Jones. For more information about the yearbook and the Class of 3 Million, visit https://classof3million.calstate.edu/