Agustín Larrosa Batista, a graphic design graduate and co-founder of Pimba Estudio, won the silver award in the Visual and Graphic Communication Design category at the A’Design Award & Competition 2018–2019, an international award presented in Italy.
Larrosa earned this recognition thanks to an academic project he developed in 2017 for the "Corporate Image" course in the Graphic Design program—taught by Martín Abud—which focused on the brand and identity redesign for the Municipality of Maldonado.
What is the award about, and who presents it?
The A' Design Award and Competition is the world's largest design competition, recognizing the best designs, design concepts, and products and services. It was launched in 2010 and has been held annually ever since, attracting participants from around the world to Milan, Italy.
Entries may include designs at the conceptual stage, prototypes, or finished products. The main objective of the competition is to generate publicity, boost public relations, and increase advertising opportunities for the winners, while supporting global design culture and creating incentives for participants to produce superior designs for a better future.
The awards are organized in collaboration with several institutions: Mood - Museum of Design, AoD - Association of Design, Designer Press, Design PR Wire, FD Design Faculty, Design League, Salone del Designer, Advanced Design Conference, and two design firms, ADF - A Design Factory and OMC Design Studios.
How were you nominated?
There are many award categories; I entered the Graphics and Visual Communication Design category, which accepts submissions such as symbols, logos, typefaces, posters, books, and 2D packaging, among others.
At first, they contacted me to let me know that I had been nominated for the corporate identity work I had submitted for the Maldonado City Council project, and a few days later I received confirmation that I had won the Silver A' Design Award.
Why is this recognition significant?
It is a global competition regarded not only as an award but also as an indicator of quality and excellence in design. The award is internationally recognized and attracts the attention of design-oriented companies, professionals, and stakeholders. It serves as a mark of excellence for designers and a testament to quality for companies.
Winning the A' Award attracts the attention of design-oriented audiences around the world, enabling us to secure better and higher-profile job opportunities and sales leads. It also opens the door to nominations for other awards thanks to the exposure it provides.
How important is it to you that you achieved this?
For me, winning the A' Design Award and Competition is a mark of distinction that helps showcase my work on an international stage, and, in particular, through this project, helps the world learn even more about our country. It serves as a small window into Uruguayan design for the world, helping to highlight the importance of design in our society, particularly in the communication efforts of a city like Maldonado.