Local designer wins International Media Award

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Local graphic designer Kogulanath Ayappan bested a host of international designers from the Asian region, to take First Prize in the Poster section of the annual SIGNIS Asia Media Awards (SAMA) 2015. His entry, based on the theme “Social Media and Family Values” was a lively, colourful effort that charmed the judges.

But by his own admission, Kogul, 27, nearly missed the deadline. The designer, who works with a mainstream English daily, was preoccupied with work and kept postponing his submission. “I actually thought I had submitted it late,” he said. “So I was very surprised when the competition results were announced, and I realized that I had won.”

Commenting on the competition, the head of the Judging Panel, Ly Sovanna, praised Kogul’s effort, describing it as a bright, optimistic perspective. “Other entries tended to focus on the negative aspects of social media and how it can be detrimental to family values,” he said. “The judges felt that Kogul’s poster, on the other hand, showed the positive aspects of social media and how it can actually be supportive of family values when used correctly.”

Kogul received his US$300 prize at the Awards Recognition segment of the SIGNIS Asia Assembly, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in August 2015. SAMA is an annual event that offers prizes in various media categories including print, video and broadcasting. Different countries in the Asian region take turns to host the SIGNIS Asia Assembly every year. The Awards are presented during the Assembly.