Ringling College of Art and Design’s Computer Animation, Graphic Design, and Motion Design majors shined in the annual Rookie of the Year awards this summer. Each year, students from around the world compete for the coveted title that awards creative emerging digital artists in 12 categories, from Motion Graphics to Immersive Media and Film of the Year. As a demonstration of their hard work, ambition, and the College’s phenomenal faculty, Ringling College students have a large presence in this list year after year. This year was no exception.    

Three recent grads from Computer Animation received four awards. Recent grad Monica Lagrange ’24 was awarded both Highly Commended and People’s Choice for 3D Animation. Recent grad Elena Serenko ’24, Computer Animation was awarded Highly Commended for 3D Animation. The thesis animation The Mooning: An Animated Short Film by Computer Animation alumni Mason Klesch and Vivian Osness was awarded Highly Commended Film of the Year for 3D Animation. 

Graphic Design student Ivy Jenkins ’26 was awarded Runner-Up in Graphic Design and Daniel Mainou Reyes ’26, Graphic Design received the Highly Commended Award for Graphic Design.

Motion Design student Lucia Eugenia Alonso Eiras ’26 and recent grad Hei Kuok ’24 both received Highly Commended awards in Motion Graphics. 

The College had 26 total finalists in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award, with 12 Motion Design finalists, five Computer Animation finalists, three from both Graphic Design and Game Art, and a finalist from Virtual Reality Development. 

You can see all of the winners and their award-winning work on the Rookie of the Year website.