By Anna Fredrick '17
Senior Bradley graphic design and Spanish double major Chelsie Tamms took home three awards at the 2016 Peoria Ad Club’s American Advertising Awards this past Thursday. Her senior honors project, “Just My Type of Lettering,” a 40-page guide to the art of hand lettering won both a Gold Advertising Award and “Best of Show,” an award given to the entry with the highest average point total of all submitted entries in the student category. Chelsie’s book design entry will move on to the District level for judging and, could advance to the National judging level. She credits her success to both her proactive attitude and using many of Bradley’s resources.
"For as long as I can remember, my college mantra has been: "take advantage of every opportunity." I knew that attending a small, private university would have its share of benefits but also that many of the most valuable resources and opportunities would not simply fall into my lap. Small class sizes and, more importantly, the possibility for stronger relationships with professors persuaded me to apply to Bradley University and other similar liberal arts universities over any prestigious design schools.
While I have second-guessed my decision to attend a liberal arts university throughout my entire college experience, looking back on the past four years makes me realize just how many unique and incredible opportunities I have found. From attending several design and student activities conferences to coordinating a $150,000+ campus concert to interning at the Career Center to studying abroad in Spain to winning the case study competition at Business Today's 2015 International Business Conference, Bradley truly has presented me with endless opportunities to take advantage of.
This made my mantra quite a challenge to stick to but also pushed me beyond the typical accomplishments of college students. It undoubtedly developed me into a driven, passionate, and hardworking design student constantly seeking new challenges. This drive ultimately translated into one of the greatest personal and professional projects of my life: the development of "Just My Type of Lettering." Because of the support of both the Bradley Honors Program and my English professor, Dr. Conley, my assignment quickly grew from a senior honors research project to a 40-page, full color book that I am determined to self-publish.
“Just My Type of Lettering” focuses on my hand-lettered design work with insight to the tools, creative process, production, and thought process behind my work. It serves as both a portfolio of my lettering work as well as a source of inspiration and guidance for aspiring lettering artists or anyone who would like insight into the art of hand lettering. My goal is to print 100 copies of my book, which will cost just under $2,000. In order to fund this project, I started a one-month Kickstarter campaign on February 9th. Within one week, I had already met my initial goal of $1,000 to print 50 copies at a local printer and I am hopeful that I will be able to reach my new goal for my project.
To think that my hard work will soon be a tangible product I can share with anyone interested in hand lettering still amazes me. The most surreal moment of the entire project was hearing my name and project announced at the 2016 Peoria Ad Club's American Advertising Awards as the "Best in Show" of all student entries. Receiving this recognition alongside a Gold Advertising Award for my book made me realize all of my hard work is beginning to truly pay off. I additionally won a Silver advertising award for a campaign I completed during my internship with Aisle Rocket Studios this past summer. Receiving these advertising awards, developing a Kickstarter campaign, and finding such great support from the Bradley community has given me a boost of confidence as I begin to start my own custom lettering and card design business, Lettering Works (www.facebook.com/letteringworks). Coming to Bradley, I did not realize how much I could accomplish in four short years but in taking advantage of so many of the wonderful opportunities available to me, I believe I have set myself up for success in following my passion after college. As I finish my time at Bradley, I cannot imagine doing anything else that could better represent myself as an artist and individual.”
