Heidesign Wins National Award
PRESS RELEASE — SEPTEMBER 23, 2016
Heidesign Creative Studio, a local marketing and graphic design business, owned by Heidi Carter of Cross Lake, Maine, has been selected as a recipient of a Graphic Design USA’s 2016 American Graphic Design Award for the design of the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s 2015 University Guide. Strong photography, simple and concise messages, and aesthetically pleasing design are all reasons why this award was granted.
“I have enjoyed working with several different departments at UMFK throughout my fifteen years as a contracted vendor. This piece was developed for the Admissions Department for use in recruiting new students along with a family of other materials,” said Carter, “It is a wonderful feeling to be chosen for an award like this. To know I can compete with a diverse pool of talent throughout the country — right from my studio in Cross Lake, Maine, makes me feel like I have been able to redefine success.”
Heidesign Creative Studio was initially developed as a freelance opportunity for Carter while she was still in College. When she returned home, fifteen years ago, to raise her family with her husband, Jason, Heidesign Creative Studio took off full-time. “It provided me with the opportunity to work from home, to be there for my children, and still enjoy a fulfilling and creative career in the St. John Valley,” reflected Carter.
The studio provides marketing and branding services for a varied client base. “Heidesign basically started as a graphic design business, but my experiences have allowed my business to grow. It’s great to see how cohesive solutions across multiple media outlets can help my clients achieve positive outcomes. It’s not just about printed pieces anymore. I am very proud of that. ”
Prior to moving back to the St. John Valley, Carter worked as the senior graphic designer at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in South Portland, Maine, and as an art director at Icon Creative Associates in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design.
Among other recognition, Heidesign Creative Studio has won other American Graphic Design Awards: in 2003 for the design of the Biathlon World Cup logo for the Maine Winter Sports Center; and in 2011 for marketing pieces for the University of Maine at Fort Kent and for Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce’s Destination Guide.
For more than five decades, Graphic Design USA has sponsored competitions to spotlight areas of excellence for creative professionals. GDUSA’s American Graphic Design AwardsTM is open to the entire community: design firms, ad agencies, corporations, non-profits, institutions, and more. It honors outstanding work of all kinds, across all media, and throughout the country. A highly selective 15 percent are recognized for excellence in design and in marketing and communications.
“I am so proud of this accomplishment, not just for myself, but for UMFK as well,” said Carter, “It speaks to the caliber of work we are doing, and it always feels good to receive positive feedback of any kind. Awards are extra-special in that way.”