The Lifetime Achievement Award
1993
Mario Garcia, for his outstanding contributions to the newspaper design and graphics profession worldwide. Through his work as an educator, researcher, author, lecturer and designer, he has elevated the entire graphics and design field around the globe.
1999
Edmund C. Arnold, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to newspaper design and graphics worldwide.
2001
Louis Silverstein, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the newspaper design and graphics profession worldwide.
2003
Richard A. Curtis, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the newspaper design and graphics profession; for his work co-founding the Society for News Design; for his initiation, with Robert Lockwood, in creating and editing Design Journal; and for serving as the first president of SND in its formative years and providing much need guidance; all of which have inspired an entire generation of visual journalists.
Robert Lockwood, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the newspaper design and graphics profession; for his work co-founding the Society for News Design; for his initiation, with Richard Curtis, in creating and editing Design Journal; and for serving as the first president of SND in its formative years and providing much need guidance; all of which have inspired an entire generation of visual journalists.
2004
Anton “Tony” Majeri Jr.. An SND founding member and member for four Pulitzer Prize-winning teams at the Chicago Tribune, he has served as SND President, judged the annual “Best of Newspaper Design” competition, chaired the Annual Workshop, taught visual journalism to audiences around the world, and served as a mentor to countless designers in the news business.
2005
Nanette Bisher, creative director of the San Francisco Chronicle, “was a part of those amazing early days when the term visual journalism was being defined in Allentown, Pa.,” said President Bill Gaspard. “For this Society she has been a great leader and friend. Over the years Nanette taught us about color and impact, about taking risks without taking yourself too seriously. And that, in a nutshell, is Nanette: Approachable despite her considerable talent, generous with her skills and always willing to coach.”
George Rorick, former member of the visual journalism faculty at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla. He created the color weather map for USA Today, and Gaspard said of him, “In the world of newspaper graphics there’s not a name better and more widely known than George Rorick’s. In addition to making a mark through his work at USA Today, the Detroit News, El Mundo and by creating KRT Graphics, George has inspired so many people that the industry is filled with talented graphic artists with a deep connection to George himself, journalists who pursued their craft because he made them see the possibilities in the world of information graphics.”
2006
C. Marshall Matlock, professor emeritus at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 17-year leadership of the Society for News Design Creative Competition. In recounting Matlock’s many accomplishments since taking over the competition in 1989, Christine McNeal noted that entries had more than doubled, to nearly 15,000 per year, during his tenure. Matlock guided annual Competition Committees in recruiting more than 400 judges worldwide and thousands of facilitators to manage the competition judging and logistics during those years. He also oversaw publication of the annual book displaying the winners.
2007
Rolf Rehe, media consultant for Design Research International in Vienna, Austria. A founding member of SND and SND-DACH, Rolf Rehe was honored for many contributions to the field of typography and design, including the 50 columns on typography he has written for Design journal; his many interviews of typographers; two books published in several languages; a decade of teaching at Indiana University; and many volunteer activities for SND.
Lynn Staley, A.M.E/Design for Newsweek magazine in New York City. Former SND President Lynn Staley led the SND Annual Workshop in Boston 1993. In his presentation, SND Secretary-Treasurer Matt Mansfield said, “She built her reputation by transforming our craft, providing inspiration for young people just entering the profession and setting a higher bar for everyone else. I recall being a young designer and looking longingly at the work coming from The Boston Globe when she was at the helm … and I remember the leap she made to Newsweek emboldened all of us to dream higher and bigger.”
2008
Phil Ritzenbergfor 50-plus years of service to the design industry. Ritzenberg was honored as an innovator and a tireless volunteer for the Society and designers. He has been a behind-the-scenes leader, helping found SND 30 years ago, and served as president from 1980 to 1982. Phil rose from a copy boy for the Cleveland Press in the early 1950s to be Assistant Managing Editor for Design at the New York Daily News, one of the first such management roles at a major U.S. newspaper.
Bill Gaspard, Las Vegas Sun, for years of dedicated service as president of SND, the SND Foundation and as site chair for the Annua Workshop and Exhibition twice — in Las Vegas and also in San Diego in 1997. Gaspard was praised by SND past president Nanette Bisher for his ability to involve everyone in getting things done for SND.
2009
Miguel Urabayen, for his many decades of contributions in pioneering visual journalism in the international community. He not only was one of the best popularizers of computer graphics but generally of the image as a key tool to tell the news, in particular in Spain and Latin America.
Nigel Holmes, for his groundbreaking work in explanatory graphics. His work at numerous publications, most notably Time Magazine, paved the way for a generation of graphic artists. He has tirelessly worked to advance the craft – “The best way to explain things is always the simplest way” – through his lectures and several books.
2010
Javier Errea, for his unflagging contributions to SND and the industry. He organizes the Malofiej conference – the world’s premier information graphics event. He organizes the ñh event – which assembles great speakers and honors the best of news design in Spain and Portugal. He was described as creative and innovative, modest and unassuming, welcoming and supportive. A true friend to SND, and an inspiration to us all.
Lucie Lacava, for her elegance in innovation in news design, her heartfelt stewardship of the Society, and her lifetime of unmatched service. Her professional SND contributions include past presidency of the Society for News Design. She is a founding member of the francophone chapter of SND, based in Paris. She has given visual personality to more than 80 publications across Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe, and the United Emirates.
2011
Gayle Grin, for her creative work and leadership at papers in Canada that have been an inspiration and her enthusiastic, smart and tireless work on behalf of SND that has benefited us all. Her focus as a board member and as president was to keep us from losing sight of our international mission and pushing for a vibrant global identity for the Society. Her legacy with SND is of planting seeds, pumping energy and good humor into the board’s work and discussions, setting the stage for so many of our initiatives. Her level of involvement at the board level, in workshops around the world and in facilitating our annual competition is staggering.
Roger Fidler, innovator, leader, teacher, founder and friend. He is a founding member of the Society for News Design, and created the organization’s first newsletter. He also served as the Society’s first vice president, and organized SND’s third-ever Annual Workshop and Exhibition, in Miami in 1982. But his lasting legacy has been introducing the news media to new technologies. In 1981 he began experimenting and developing portable, flat-screen reading devices, the forerunner of the tablet that is now transforming the news design industry. “Roger has been a true visionary in our industry,” said fellow SND founder Tony Majeri. “He was one of the few folks in our midst who possessed the skills to act as the perfect model for the future leader of the visual journalism we were all building.”
