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Graphic Design
A B O U T T H E J U R O R S
Leslie Carol &
Martin Pohlmann
Graphic Design Jurors
Best of Ringling 2025
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Leslie is a Senior Art Director at Arc Worldwide, the commerce engine within Publicis Groupe that drives shopper and retail innovation and makes ambitious brands irresistible. She works on the Inspire Brands team, crafting impactful designs that elevate brand experiences. Throughout her career, Leslie has collaborated with notable clients such as Dunkin’, Arby’s, Sappi, JBL, PlayStation, Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Budweiser, AB InBev, and Warner Brothers.
In 2019, Leslie graduated from Ringling College of Art + Design, where she received the Trustee Scholar Award in Graphic Design. Since then her work has continued to be recognized by prominent industry publications such as AAF, GDUSA, and Graphis.
Leslie grew up in Abancay, Peru, and has lived in Chicago and Atlanta before returning to Sarasota, where she first met her husband, Martin, while they were studying together at Ringling.
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Martin is a Design Director at AKQA, a global innovation and design agency that combines art and science to create thoughtful work that transforms experiences and future-proofs its clients. He leads design teams focused on digital branded experiences and design systems. Prior to this, Martin worked at Ogilvy 485 in Chicago, where he specialized in brand platforms and identity systems. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with globally recognized brands, including Absolut Vodka, Audi, Delta Air Lines, IBM, Modelo, The Ritz-Carlton, The Masters, and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
In addition to his work in branding and digital design, Martin has designed several typefaces and publications.
His work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as AdAge, Communication Arts, GDUSA, and The One Club. He graduated from Ringling College of Art + Design in 2020, where he received the Trustee Scholar Award in Graphic Design.
Martin grew up in Hamburg, Germany, and has lived in Chicago and Atlanta before returning to Sarasota, where he first met his wife, Leslie, while they were studying together at Ringling.
P R E S I D E N T ‘ S A W A R D
Dave Scheele, Avery Frost,
Ivy Jenkins & Daniel Mainou Reyes
Ligature XV: Misprint
J U R O R ’ S S E L E C T I O N S
G O L D J U R O R’ S A W A R D
Bella Thompson
Sedona Soul Music Festival
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Sedona Soul stands out for its skillful use of patterns and illustrations, which play into the concept of the festival’s genre and location, creating a visually engaging experience. The vibrant color palette is applied with precision, ensuring the colors remain controlled and balanced, adding energy without overwhelming the viewer. The identity is full of character and memorable, while the system remains cohesive across all touchpoints. Thoughtful compositions in the deliverables further elevate the design, with each element meticulously placed to guide the viewer's eye and support the narrative. Out of all the submissions, Bella's careful execution, skilled use of typography and color, and consistent brand system made it the one we kept coming back to.
S I L V E R J U R O R’ S A W A R D
Jayden Badillo
NIKE x Superfusão
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Superfusão stands out due to its bold and confident execution, showcasing a creative approach that feels playful and innovative. It’s fresh, exciting, and captured our attention immediately. This project shows that, when done right, taking creative risks and infusing personality into your work can truly pay off. By using just two colors, Jayden manages to create depth and complexity, making a limited color palette feel dynamic and striking. The choice to work within such constraints adds a layer of sophistication, proving that even simplicity can yield impressive results. The overall feel of the project is professional and polished, giving it an authentic, real-world quality that resonates with us. This balance of creativity and professionalism is what makes this project so special.
B R O N Z E J U R O R’ S A W A R D
Ivy Jenkins, Daniel Mainou Reyes
& Lucía Eugenia Alonso Eiras
2024 Trustee Scholar Branding
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The 2024 Trustee Scholar Awards branding stands out due to its exceptional art direction from concept to execution. The use of gradients and color captures the spirit of "technicolor," seamlessly translating into both print and photography elements. The portraits are particularly striking, with background colors and lighting working in harmony to highlight the subject, creating visually stunning images. Additionally, the motion design is carefully crafted, bringing the concept to life and emitting an aura of pride and wonder. Every aspect of the project is evidently designed to ensure a cohesive and powerful visual experience.
J U R O R’ S F I N A L I S T S H O R T L I S T
Malum Horror Conference - Camila Ayala, Paige Clipsham & Laney Paige | PINC Conference - Jayden Badillo, Trung Ho & Diane Lee & Jas Gunarto | Pepi'á Arepas - Daniel Mainou Reyes | Cal•Count App - Camila Ayala & Paige Clipsham | FloridaChokingHazard.com - Bella Race | Creative Reset - Bella Thompson | Oral History: The Man Behind US 55 618 661 - Bella Thompson | Encore: Rock + Fame Exhibiton - Ivy Jenkins, Daniel Mainou Reyes, Tia Kassim & Juan Bonillo Ruiz | Nature In Focus: Charley Harper Exhibition - Jayden Badillo | Jelly Bones Studio - Keona Mulcahy
F A C U L T Y A W A R D S
OUTSTANDING JUNIOR
OUTSTANDING SOPHOMORE
OUTSTANDING MINOR
Jennifer Villagomez
For collective works created
in Graphic Design studio
and elective classes