NKU graduates awarded for support of Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky

October 22, 2024 - A team of five recent graduates from Northern Kentucky University’s Visual Communication Design program have won the Student Experiential Design category at the 2024 Cincinnati Design Awards for their work with the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky (ESNKY).

Ash Coleman, Leah Hulsman, Tabitha Phelps, Em Sanning and Sarah Weimar’s award-winning project was the result of a meaningful collaboration with ESNKY, where the team developed wayfinding, signage and environmental graphics for the shelter’s state-of-the-art facility in Covington. The innovative non-profit organization provides life-saving, life-changing, low-barrier shelter and transformative services for adults in the community.

The students’ design was inspired by Covington’s rich architectural history and vibrant mosaic art, resulting in a sophisticated signage system and large-scale wall murals to aide visitors in navigating the new space. This experience with ESNKY allowed students to operate like a design firm and tackle a real-world design project for a real client, equipping them with applicable skills for successful careers after graduation. The project was completed as part of a course led by professor Hans Schellhas. The class also partnered with the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, which contributed funds to bring the designs to life.

“We had an incredible experience collaborating with the NKU students to infuse our new space with vibrant, impactful art,” said ESNKY Executive Director Kim Webb. “Watching them deepen their understanding of homelessness while expressing their creativity and honing their design skills was truly inspiring. Our newly adorned wall murals and wayfinding signage have already garnered widespread praise from shelter guests and visitors alike.”

The students, now alumni, will be recognized for their hard work and creative vision at the Cincinnati Design Awards. The Cincinnati Design Awards is an annual event that celebrates the finest in built-design across disciplines such as architecture, interior design, landscape design and experiential design, with entries submitted by leading firms in the Cincinnati region. The award event will take place on Friday, November 8 at Memorial Hall.

About the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky: The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky provides lifesaving, life changing and low barrier shelter and services for adults in our community. The organization is committed to providing programs that are best practice, with a housing-first model, in a trauma-informed, harm-reduction environment. They trust, value and respect everyone who walks through the doors, always giving guests a voice and choice in how, when and where they access services. In the past year, ESNKY served more than 1,400 adults and provided more than 24,000 nights of safe and secure shelter. To learn more, visit emergencyshelternky.org.