Aziz Alhalwan, Patricia Hajjar and Christina Laguens have been honored with GDUSA Student Graphic Design Awards. Each Woodbury honoree graduated in May with a BFA in Graphic Design. Their stories follow: Aziz Alhalwan, Patricia Hajjar and Christina Laguens have been honored with GDUSA Student Graphic Design Awards. Each Woodbury honoree graduated in May with a BFA in Graphic Design. Their stories follow:
- An international student from Saudi Arabia, Aziz Alhalwan was honored for his design work entitled The Power of Music. Alhalwan began his studies with little background in graphic design and design in general, but by his second year was freelancing, building experience while studying. He interned at Social Edge in Culver City, where he worked closely with both design and development teams. Alhalwan is currently serving as a volunteer designer with a local philanthropic organization and awaiting completion of required work permit forms. “I’ve had interest from huge companies in the entertainment industry, and I’m honored and thrilled to win a GDUSA Student Award,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who supported me.”
- Patricia Hajjar was recognized for her “Top of the Rock” poster. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her education and career. She has won consecutive awards in Graphic Design studio courses, received the University Award recognizing the highest undergraduate scholastic achievement, and has had her work featured at the annual Graphic Design show. She was an Executive Board member of Woodbury’s AIGA chapter and is a Graphic Design USA Student to Watch™ for 2017. This year, she also received an award for her packaging design from the American Graphic Design Awards/Certificates of Excellence competition. She has begun her professional career with the creative team at Princess Cruises while also seeking opportunities in freelance graphic design.
- Christina Laguens took GDUSA honors for The Hub Branding & Collateral. Born and reared on Oahu, she relocated to California to study graphic design. She interned as a graphic designer with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation where she helped with rebranding and the 2016 SAG awards. She also worked with the advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi LA, where she designed a full rebranding of the agency’s internal asset management program and assisted with the Toyota rebrand. She has participated in Los Angeles area AIGA workshops and now works full time as a Jr. Art Director with Saatchi & Saatchi LA on the Toyota digital creative team.