A new family of wines developed by Appalachian State University students and faculty has an award-winning look, with labels designed and printed by students in the graphic communications management program. The pictured labels won second place in the 2021 Phoenix Challenge — a college competition between graphic communications students across North America. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — A new family of wines developed by Appalachian State University students and faculty has an award-winning look, with labels designed and printed by students in the graphic communications management (GCM) program.
Labels for The Scholar wines, which include a merlot, rosé, sparkling white and Vidal blanc, were awarded second place in the virtual 2021 Phoenix Challenge — a college competition between graphic communications students across North America.
The Scholar wines were developed and created by faculty and students in App State’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentations Sciences (CFS) with the help of Ivory Tower Inc. — a private nonprofit that supports education and research in fermentation sciences and is directed by App State professor Dr. Brett Taubman. The wine is bottled and sold locally by Grandfather Vineyard and Winery.
“Our students spent the year researching, preparing and problem-solving this project for our client, Appalachian’s fermentation sciences department,” said Kay Bishop, adviser to the student team and GCM faculty member.
Pictured from left to right, Appalachian State University seniors Megan Pritcher, of Wilson, Madelyn Davis, of Richmond, Virginia, and Oliver Webb, of Raleigh — all senior graphic communications management majors — work together in App State’s Katherine Harper Hall to create labels for The Scholar wines, developed by students and faculty in the university’s A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences. The labels won second place in the 2021 Phoenix Challenge, a college competition between graphic communications students across North America. Photo submitted
Senior Amanda Gaspard, a communication, advertising major with a double minor in studio art and graphic communications management from Asheville, designed the logo for the label.
Students also submitted a booklet documenting the label-making process, formally presenting the project to a panel of industry judges during the virtual event held May 1.
Four other members compose the award-winning team:
- Madelyn Davis, a senior graphic communications management major from Richmond, Virginia.
- Megan Pritcher, a senior graphic communications management major from Wilson.
- Oliver Webb, a senior graphic communications management major from Raleigh.
- Jennifer Pantoja-Paredes, a senior graphic communications management major from Winston-Salem.
Team adviser and GMC practitioner-in-residence Tom Reeves led the student team to produce and print the wine labels, using the flexographic press in App State’s Katherine Harper Hall.
The students’ research included online surveys and in-person surveys at Grandfather Vineyard and Winery. Louis Conradie, wine specialist in the CFS department, was the internal client for the project and liaison between the students and Grandfather Vineyard and Winery.
“Our research showed that wine consumers valued the design of the label, and when choosing a wine to purchase they preferred dark, rich colors and bright, vibrant colors, which we represented in the various label designs,” said Pritcher, the student team leader for the project.
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About the Department of Art
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression and creative problem-solving while challenging them to go beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography and graphic communications management. Learn more at https://art.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://faa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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