From the Nominator

"The Wayne State Magazine Spring/Summer edition marked a historical first in the magazine's 80+ year history when an original piece of art for the cover was commissioned and created by an alum. 

Artist and alumna Desiree Kelly '11 was featured in the magazine. After she provided some images to accompany the story, we reached out to see if she would create an original piece that embodied the spirit of her alma mater for the cover. Known as Detroit’s premier portrait painter, Kelly’s vibrant murals can be seen all over the city, and her work was recently featured in a Pepsi Co. commercial. She has a following not only in Detroit, but nationwide. 

She created the cover pro bono and then made signed, limited edition prints available for alumni to purchase. The alumni association promoted the sale via email, social media, and other channels. Kelli donated 60% of the total sales to the alumni association. 

This was such a win-win situation. We were able to provide a unique opportunity for alumni to own an original piece of art and support Wayne State.  https://www.desireekellyart.com/"

From the Judges

Judges felt this magazine is an exemplar for its gorgeous photography, great stories, and strong layout and design. Every article engaged us, and so did the intentional composition of the photographs. The magazine conveys a vibrant spirit in its design, story mix, and fresh writing. The feature about a graphic artist is great, as is the story on mapping the Motor City. Also, a strong return on investment with a modest per-issue cost of $0.80.