CNA student wins big at ICE Awards
11/8/2007 9:28:57 AM
Katherine Hann is a student of College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Graphic Print and Production program at the Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s. She recently walked away with a gold medal in the student competition of the 2007 Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE) Awards, for a project she considers her baby.
“It feels like a labour of love. As most of my friends are having children, this feels like something I have given birth to. I don't carry pictures of it with me, but I have contemplated giving her a name,” Hann jokes.
The ICE Awards, organized by a diverse group of Atlantic Canadian advertising and marketing professionals, celebrates creative advertising made by people in Atlantic Canada.
Held annually each year in Halifax, the event is open to companies in the advertising industry. It includes a student competition open to all college and university design programs in Atlantic Canada.
“In late spring, as a student, I was invited to be a part of the creative process as it would work in industry,” says the 33-year-old St. John’s native.
“A creative brief was delivered to the college, which provides information on the client, the campaign and the target audience they would like to reach. This year it was for Volunteer Canada and the goal was to create a campaign that would reach youth.”
The process involved mentorship from those who work in the advertising industry.
“I was blessed to have James Jung, an art director, and Tom Murphy, a creative director, from Target Marketing and Communications as my mentors. Once I was given the brief, I had just over a week to come up with and solidify an idea.”
She met with her mentors several times and they asked the important questions to direct her through the creative process.
“The final copy was sent to Halifax and I was notified in late August that I was one of four finalists. As a finalist, I was invited to the awards ceremony in Halifax. The evening at the awards ceremony was incredible. I was able to meet heaps of people in the industry which is a great networking advantage for me right now,” she says.
“As my goal is to work in advertising, (attending the awards) was an incredible opportunity. The truth to how I feel about winning this award ... pretty amazing.”
She says she couldn’t have done this without the instructors who urged her to take part in the competition.
“The ICE Awards is an event instructors at the college brought to our attention. There are other competitions that students can enter, such as the Skills Canada competition and the college had great success this year with students winning awards. For me, a skills competition really wouldn’t show my strong points. My strengths lie more in the concepts of design. That is why when this ICE Awards was originally mentioned in the fall semester, I knew that would be my chance. If I was going to succeed in any area of this industry, that was the one for me.”
Hann is now a second-year student of the Graphic Print and Production program. After graduating later this year, she hopes to continue her studies with the Graphic Design program.
“Both are two-year programs with what is almost a common foundation year. Thus, I have hopes once I finish my current program, to complete the second year of the Design program as well. I love the Graphic Print and Production program at CNA.”
After a late change of careers in her life, Hann says the college has taught her every aspect of working in the design industry.
“I come from a completely different background than most of the other students. I have two university degrees, one in Physical Education and the other in Psychology, and most of the work I have done over the years has been very people oriented. Thus, my computer skills really didn't exceed past, I hate to say it, Microsoft Word,” she continues.
“What is great about the program at the college is that it allows for people like myself, who have no computer background, to come in and start from the basics. And that is exactly what I did. It is also provides small enough classes that people share their skills. Especially now in my second year, it's no issue for students to ask one another for help in our assignments. It's almost like we all have our individual strengths and weaknesses, but together we are balanced and a whole unit.”
She also sings the praises of the instructors, whom she deems fantastic.
“They too come from their own individual backgrounds and bring in such a blend of skills, talent and expertise that each day I feel lucky to be there. Now, don't get me wrong – the course is not easy. It humbles me everyday and pushes me past points I never thought I would reach in the first place. I guess it is like a marathon; it's all about training, pacing throughout, pushing through the walls and then finishing with many aches and much pain, but a big smile on your face. So thank you to my training team: Ken Holden, Paul Burke, Craig Chislett, Ray Fennelly and J. Barry.”
It was one simple phone call that she says changed her career goals and ultimately her life.
“I found out about the program through a course I took in the summer of 2006. The course is called Women Interested in Successful Employment and that was another one of my blessings in life. It is a 12-week program for women who want to either enter or re-enter the work force or change careers. Through this program I was able to evaluate my career choices, look at my current skill sets, make new goals for myself and basically, redirect my future.”
As part of the program, she participated in a tour at CNA which included the print shop at CNA’s Prince Philip Drive campus.
“After that, I gave a call to the college to inquire about the program and spoke with coordinating instructor for Graphic Design, J Barry. I think that phone call changed my life.”
Shortly after that conversation she embarked on her first experience attending a college.
“This is my first program at CNA or any other college. When I graduated high school, I went to university to start my education. I think the biggest difference for me is the practical application of college,” she says.
“The Graphic Print and Production program is clear, concise, focused and every course and assignment is based on a skill or situation from industry. It is two years with direction and I like that. There is no ambiguity on what I will or will not do once I finish. So for me it's a great place to be right now and I would highly advocate any young person who wants to gain a practical skill in life to do so.”
For more information about the Graphic Print and Production program or any other program at CNA, call the campus nearest you or log onto the website at www.cna.nl.ca.
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For more information contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca