Penn State Graphic Design students Emily Burns, Sabrina Hecht and Nyomi Warren recently received awards in AIGA Blue Ridge’s annual Flux Student Design Competition, a nationwide competition that recognizes outstanding design work produced in the categories of identity, publication, poster, packaging and Web/interactive.

Burns, a graduate student, received awards in the packaging and publication categories. Hecht was honored in the poster category for work she completed for faculty member Peter Lusch, while Warren was honored in the poster category for work she completed for faculty member Ryan Russell.

A jury of creative professionals selected 173 projects from nearly 800 entries, making the 2015 competition one of the largest yet.

“As a design educator, there are few accomplishments more exciting than when students are recognized by the profession for their hard work and outstanding design,” said Keith Cummings, head of Penn State’s graphic design program. “When our students place in competitions, that tells us that we are doing our job -- preparing students for a fruitful and rewarding career in graphic design.”

AIGA is the professional association for designers. For more on AIGA Blue Ridge, visit http://blueridge.aiga.org/