AIGA Detroit has been formally celebrating the work of Michigan designers in our competitions for the past few years, but this month we teamed up with local letterpress studio Signal-Return to give a well-deserved nod to our creative collaborators: writers! As designers, we know that writers can be our biggest allies in fighting for smart, creative solutions and we thought the best way to honor them would be with their own words.

Participants were given these requirements for their designs:

1. Use an inspiring quote from a past or present Michigan writer.
2. Create a 12″ x 18″ poster that incorporates your quote (make sure to credit the writer).
3. You may only use one or two colors

Out of 25 entries, 5 winners were chosen based on theme, layout, illustration, typography and technique. The winners will receive free press time at Signal-Return, working with Signal-Return staff to set and print their posters. The winners’ designs will be available for sale at Signal-Return soon – keep an eye out!

Congratulations to the winning designers:
Ben Blout
Jessie Campbell
Joseph Benhauser
Judy Little
Ruben Ramen

Thank you to our judges:
Don Kilpatrick
Dave Buffington
Doug Kisor
Toby Barlow
Ryan Schirmang
Elizabeth Youngblood