BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)

AIGA Philadelphia held a closing reception for its annual student design competition on Thursday, March 31 at Crane Arts in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. The exhibition was the culmination of a student design competition on the theme of nutrition, titled BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). Students from Philadelphia-area colleges were tasked to create a design for a reusable canvas bag that speaks out about an important cause related to the nutrition. Students were required to purchase a specific, blank canvas bag from Dick Blick Art store on which to create a design.

More than 300 bags were submitted to the competition from local schools including Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia University, Rutgers University, Arcadia University, Moore College of Art, Kutztown University, and more. After the show was hung by AIGA Philadelphia’s dedicated volunteers, judging commenced. Brian Jacobson, Jessica Hische, Ray Nichols and Alina Wheeler spent hours critiquing each entry. The original selection of 3 Awardees and 10 Honorable Mentions was expanded to include a group of Judges’ Choices and Merit Awards, resulting in 19 students being recognized for their creativity.

Gigi McGee, Co-Chair of the Education Committee explained; “Judges had such a tough time selecting the top 3, and even the honorable mentions, they decided to include additional categories—which we were glad to accommodate.”

Sweeping the top three was Tyler School of Art’s Mirim Seo, Maria McCuen and Eden Hoke, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. For her first place finish, Mirim Seo was awarded a copy of Adobe Creative Suite, Maria McCuen received a $75 Visa gift card, and Eden Hoke a $50 Visa gift card. Philadelphia University had a strong showing as well, with 6 students taking home an Honorable Mention, Judges’ Choice, or Merit Award. Additionally, easch student recognized in the competition received a complimentary workshop at Ray Nichols, Lead Grafitti letterpress studio.

Special thanks to CRW Graphics which generously donated printing and paper for the BYOB call-for-entries poster and mailer. DJ Shawn Ryan supplied great music for the night, and Couch Tomato, delicious food. AIGA also thanks RMH Image Group for their in-kind sponsorship, and constant support throughout the year.

BYOB Awardees

1st Place
Mirim Seo
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Kelly Holohan

2nd Place
Maria McCuen
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Abby Bennett

3rd Place
Eden Hoke
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Paul Sheriff


Honorable Mention
Rachel Cannon
Arcadia University
Dave Copestakes

Morgan Knepper
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Paul Sheriff

Alexandria DeCastro
Rutgers University
Daman Shields

Jariam Imperial
Philadelphia University
Michael Kase

Alyssa Liegel
Philadelphia University
Michael Erazo-Kase

Matthew Gordils
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Abby Bennett

Jason Termini
Philadelphia University
Gavin Cooper

Philip MacKinney
Philadelphia University
Jen Neuhoff

Sarah Zeigler
Arcadia University
Dave Copestakes

Samantha Mola
Philadelphia University
Frank Baseman

Judges Choice

Ray Nicholas
Christopher Bazata
Philadelphia University
Jenny Profy

Alina Wheeler
Maria McCuen
Tyler School of Art/Temple University
Abby Bennett

Brian Jacobson
Alyssa Liegel
Philadelphia University
Michael Erazo-Kase

Jessica Hische
Samantha Mola
Philadelphia University
Frank Baseman

Merit Award

For Concept:
Courtney Woytko
Kutztown University
Elaine Cunfer

For Illustration:
Brittany Slopey
Moore College of Art & Design
Gigi McGee