Award for Storytelling

Winner: Ashley Loyst

Winning Project: then/now

Award Sponsor: MJMA; School: York University, Toronto, ON; Educator Support: Zab Hobart RGD Emeritus

then/now constructs an immersive narrative that turns private memory into public, editorial storytelling, mirroring the fragmented, nonlinear structure of a phone’s Notes app while tracing a clear journey from girlhood into early adulthood. Varying paper sizes and colours reflect the disjointed, accumulative nature of digital note-taking, while transparent vellum overlays introduce present-day reflections in red text that speak back to the pages beneath. 

Structured chronologically from high school notes in 2020 through post-graduation uncertainty, the book’s wire-o binding and small dimensions echo everyday journaling formats, and fold-out spreads invite readers to physically uncover private thoughts. Moments of crisis sit deliberately alongside grocery lists and reminders, revealing how ordinary life continues through difficult periods. The project is intended for young adults — particularly women navigating growth and self-reflection during transition — and for anyone drawn to experimental editorial design, autobiographical storytelling and the relationship between technology, self-documentation and privacy.

Honourable Mentions

• Q Cookbook by Aaliyah Charles, George Brown Polytechnic, Toronto, ON
• INHALE / EXHALE by Osnat Kedmi, George Brown College, Toronto, ON
• The Names We Still Carry by Janina Joy Magat, KPU Wilson School of Design, Richmond, BC
• IGNITE by Mayara Sampaio, George Brown Polytechnic, Toronto, ON
• The body that I inhabit by Suse Woudstra, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB

Judges

• Jumanah Abualkhair Associate RGD, Independent Graphic Designer, Brampton, ON
• Giulia Bonforte RGD, Creative Director at Narratori Collective, Surrey, BC
• Heidi Hoflin, Senior Graphic Designer at Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB
• Judith Lacerte RGD, Art Director & Designer, Manotick, ON
• Raymundo Pavan, Associate/Senior Experiential Designer at MJMA Architecture and Design, Toronto, ON
• Xandr Sutjiadi RGD, Creative Director at ArtOverMatter, Vancouver, BC