2007 winners and honorable mentions

1st: “Oprah Has One” – Project M

Inspired by the late architect Samuel Mockbee and the work he did with Auburn University’s Rural Studio, eight young designers went to Hale County, Alabama, for one month. Committed to using their skills to positively affect the lives of the county’s neediest citizens, the group produced “Oprah Has One,” a newsprint mailer to raise funds to provide clean drinking water. To date, they have raised over $39,000 through the piece and its website, buyameter.org.

2nd (tied): “Peace ‘100 Ideas’ Book” – Chen Design Associates
2nd (tied): “Freedom of the Press” – The Studio of Brian Ponto

Freedom of the Press is a guerilla newspaper that educates people about the state of media ownership and it’s far reaching impact. The 32 page newspaper, citing one fact or quote a page, strings together a linear line that grows in it’s message urgency and size with each page. The paper was distributed in New York City circa 2004-2005 through “reclaimed” guerrilla newspaper stands (see image) and nationally through partnerships with media organizations. Freedom of the Press also in 2004 created an issue on voting, both of which are available as a download at www.passthison.org.

Honorable Mention: “Port-a-border” – Scott Boylston

Too many Americans have grown up with a false sense of entitlement, and base their understanding of the immigration issue on a myopic view of who is benefiting from whose efforts. We want what they can give us, without wanting them. This is a dangerously flawed perspective, and the poster aims to point out the absurdity and hypocrisy inherent in this manner of thinking.

Honorable Mention: “Buy Less Crap” web-site – anonymous
Honorable Mention: “Landmine Monitor Research Guide” – Toolbox DC