B.F.A. Advertising student Annalicia Lugo recently earned both Regional and National Gold Student ADDY Awards, one of the highest honors for students in the field, for her powerful Rights Without Borders campaign created for Amnesty International. Amnesty is a global organization dedicated to defending human rights and reducing inequalities through independent research and action. Their work helps free prisoners of conscience, fight torture, and end human rights abuses worldwide. Lugo’s campaign demonstrates the significant impact that design can have on raising awareness and driving real-world change.
Lugo’s win is part of a larger wave of success for Academy of Art University’s School of Advertising, whose students took home 15 Student Gold ADDYs and the Best of Show at the 2025 AAF San Francisco Bay Area American Advertising Awards. Behind each of these awards is a story of persistence and growth, and Lugo’s campaign is no exception.
According to her professor, Roger Muller, Lugo’s dedication to refining every detail is what set her apart. “The project didn’t start out perfect, and that’s what made it exciting,” he explained. “Annalicia kept revisiting, reshaping, stripping it down until it became something with real impact.”
The final campaign struck the perfect balance, featuring clear messaging, restrained visuals, and a clean, scalable design, which earned national recognition from industry leaders and peers.
Ross Patrick, Director and Creative Lead of the School of Advertising, sees Lugo’s work as a reflection of the program’s mission. “This level of work reminds us that hard work, dedication, and great guidance are crucial to building the next generation of creative leaders,” Patrick shared.
The School of Advertising, which offers advertising degrees online and on campus, continues to produce award-winning students ready to make their mark. Lugo’s win adds to a growing legacy. Since 2016, students in the bachelor’s in advertising program have earned 7 National ADDYs, over 40 District awards, and more than 300 local wins.
“Our students don’t just learn how to make cool things,” Muller added. “They learn how to think and how to create work that matters.”
Explore Annalicia Lugo’s National Gold ADDY-winning Rights Without Borders campaign for Amnesty International here.
