Graphic + interactive design student wins Pittsburgh Pitch competition
February 7, 2018
Kayla Haywood, a junior graphic + interactive design student, was a member of the winning team at the 2017 American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Pittsburgh Pitch competition, held in November.
The Pitch is designed to provide students with real-world experience in the advertising world while giving them access to top Pittsburgh agencies and advertising professionals.
In a two-part competition, participants first receive hands-on experience by working for one day at a Pittsburgh ad agency, where they create a campaign for a local nonprofit organization. Haywood’s team created a campaign for The Outreach Teen & Family Services, which was chosen as one of two finalists. In the second phase of the event, the top teams compete against each other by “pitching” their concept directly to the client, and the client selects the winner
Assistant professor of graphic + interactive design Rich Helfrich said that design students who compete in these kinds of competitions are not only building their own portfolios, but they are also improving the university’s reputation in the design field.
“The quality of our graphic + interactive design students’ work showcased in the AAF’s Pittsburgh Pitch over the last six years has continued to enhance the program brand for design excellence both regionally and nationally,” Helfrich said.