We are excited to showcase the winning work of 5 of our design students from the Applied Arts Magazine. Their work stood out from winning entries from across the globe, earning well-deserved recognition for their outstanding work in advertising, design, and visual communication!
A huge congratulations to Cody Garcia, Joseph Camillo, Eva Morenets, Sasha Polska, and Veronika Kansaka for your amazing work!
View the collection of Applied Arts awards here.
City of Nanaimo Rebrand
Brand Identity Design Program
Cody Garcia
codygarcia.ca
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: Michael Cober
The City of Nanaimo’s new brand identity is a modern, flexible system that reflects its growth while honouring its coastal roots. Inspired by the original Harbour City slogan, the rebrand introduces refined messaging and cohesive visuals to unify departments and engage the community. Motion elements echo the ebb and flow of water, bringing the brand to life across digital and print. The result is a bold, future-facing identity built for adaptability and lasting impact.
Expose Films
Entire Design Program
Cody Garcia
codygarcia.ca
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: John Belisle
Expose Films is a Canadian production company amplifying BIPOC filmmakers through diverse storytelling. Inspired by mid-century cinema, the brand embraces imperfection to reflect the human side of film. Motion is key, capturing the craft and authenticity of underrepresented voices. Genre icons expand the system, while the tagline Films That Shed Light grounds the mission to illuminate untold narratives.
REI
Logo Rebrand-Before/After – Series
Eva Morenets
evamorenets.ca
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: Michael Cober
REI Co-op is a retail and outdoor recreation company dedicated to inspiring and enabling people to get outside. Inspired by trail maps and “X marks the spot”, this logo rebrand symbolizes the diverse and personal paths one could take to the outdoors. The design system is an extension of the variable logo, with the paths shifting and moving to align REI’s identity with the spirit of exploration and the endless possibilities for adventure.
Oceanic Reverie
Nature/Landscape & Wildlife Photography — Series
Joseph Camillo
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Captured in Mexico on 35mm film, this photo was created as part of a personal landscape project. The red parasail and distant boat contrast against the endless blue waters. From the shore, I appreciated the peaceful atmosphere and the thrill of people soaring above the sea.
Conceited — Mixed Media Lyric Video
Motion — Single
Joseph Camillo
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: Matt Heximer
“Conceited” by Lola Young is a raw song about an egotistical love interest. This fan-made lyric video uses mixed-media animation to capture the gritty, authentic tone of the track. With oil pastels, printed letters, and crumpled paper, each frame is handmade and rescanned into the digital space. Every animated word reflects the attitude of its corresponding lyric.
Wink Lingerie
Brand Identity Design Program
Sasha Polska
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: John Belisle
Wink redefines post-mastectomy lingerie with stylish, comfortable bras across four categories—lingerie, everyday, recovery, and sportswear. It empowers survivors, normalizes diverse bodies, and celebrates strength with elegant illustrated women, merging art and reality. With a calming wink and the message “not a scar”, the brand replaces stigma with beauty and confidence.
Bard on the Beach Poster Series
Promotional Design, Series
Veronika Kansaka
Program: Graphic Design for Marketing
Instructor: Michael Cober
The Poster Series are part of the bold reimagining of Bard on the Beach theatre’s branding that moves into a vibrant celebration of Shakespearean drama. The project showcases all the colours of Bard on the Beach — highlighting its spectacular performances and innovative interpretations of Shakespeare’s classics. The posters feature custom illustrations for each play, using bold colour combinations to reflect the diverse themes and emotions found in Shakespeare’s works.
