The 2024 Best of Ringling 
Department of Motion Design 

 

JUROR'S GOLD AWARD  •  FutureProof 24 Branding 

Hei Kuok & Hannah Nguyen (MD '24)

​

This piece had it all and it was all well done.
Why I really love this FutureProof Branding is because in addition to the playful 3D characters it has strong ol’ fashioned graphic design chops! I love the type, compositions, color, scale. The seamless mix of 2D and 3D is also really well done.  Within the final frames, there is a very clear attention to detail, which is very professional and premium. The depth of work completed for this assignment is very impressive. Not only did you brand the conference, you did style frames, narrative board, social and additional elements. I love how the branding is utilized across the different formats, they are consistent, but they are different for each application.  Tonally you struck a nice chord… Being both playful and professional

​

​

JUROR'S SILVER AWARD  •  Olympics Branding - Milano Cortina 2026  

Ava Meller (MD '24)

​

This design system is stunning and versatile.

There was a lot of exploration around how it would be deployed across the different deliverables and it held up really well. Often design systems can be so rigid that it lacks interest after the first few applications, but in this case there was surprise and delight in each comp, while also being consistent and well branded.

While there were no animated pieces in the set, the type and compositions were presented in such a way that I could just understand how it would move. As a motion designer, it's really important that even our static comps have that sense of movement and fluidity.

​

JUROR'S BRONZE AWARD  •  Shape Playground

Fiona Greenleaf  (MD '26)

​

This particular execution of what appears to be an assignment everyone in the major explores really excited me. First, it’s really hard to do something inherently different when there are so many people working within the constraints of the same assignment. Second, these kinds of assignments are often looked at literally, so when I came across this execution, I was gob smacked at the creativity to use simple graphic shapes and give them distinct personalities. Third, overall, it's a really strong design that's really well animated. Fourth, the sound design and music in general supports the movement and personality. It’s an example on how sound can elevate a visual experience. And lastly, this piece shows that there can be greatness in simplicity.

                

​

THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD  •  FutureProof Title Sequence

​

Alex Cho & Sehee Kim (MD '24)

​

​

​

MOTION DESIGN DEPT. HEAD AWARD  •  Love Letter

 

Anastassia Kovach, Hannah Nguyen, Hei Kuok, Sehee Kim, Alex Cho (MD '24)

​

​

​

​

 

MOTION DESIGN FACULTY AWARD  •  Procopia 

Kiu Cheung  (MD '26) 

​

VFX AWARD  •  Holiday Shopping at Target

Tricia Joganich (MD '24)

​